Superconducting and magnetic properties of (Th/sub 1-x/Nd/sub x/)Ru/sub 2/ and (Th/sub 1-x/La/sub x/)Ru/sub 2/ intermetallic compounds

Journal Article · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1986 · Phys. Rev. B: Condens. Matter; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.33.162· OSTI ID:6268902

Brouwer, R C; Hueser, D; Nieuwenhuys, G J; Mydosh, J A

The superconducting properties of (Th/sub 1-x/La/sub x/)Ru/sub 2/ and the superconducting and magnetic properties of (Th/sub 1-x/Nd/sub x/)Ru/sub 2/ are investigated by ac-susceptibility and dc-magnetization measurements as a function of temperature and applied pressure. Both systems exhibit an unusual increase of the superconducting transition temperature T/sub c/ for 0< or =x< or =0.33. For the first time we are able to separate the magnetic contribution in (Th/sub 1-x/Nd/sub x/)Ru/sub 2/ by subtracting the T/sub c/ values of both systems. The difference of the T/sub c/ values at the respective concentrations shows an Abrikosov-Gor'kov (AG) type of behavior which we attribute to the weak interaction of the Nd ions with the conducting electrons. The anomalous T/sub c/ behavior is also reflected in the concentration dependence of the upper critical field H/sub c/2(0). In contrast to T/sub c/ and H/sub c/2(0), the calculated electron density of states at the Fermi surface decreases with increasing x. With the application of hydrostatic pressure (p/sub max/ = 1.2 GPa) the T/sub c/ values in (Th/sub 1-x/Nd/sub x/)Ru/sub 2/ show a weak pressure dependence. The reduction of T/sub c/ with pressure varies linearly with x for 0< or =x< or =0.20 in accordance with the AG theory. The (Th/sub 1-x/La/sub x/)Ru/sub 2/ compounds show no pressure dependence within the experimental accuracy (5 mK) for 0< or =x< or =0.3.

• Research Organization: Kamerlingh Onnes Laboratorium, Rijksuniversiteit te Leiden, NL-2300RA Leiden, The Netherlands
• OSTI ID: 6268902
• Journal Information: Phys. Rev. B: Condens. Matter; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Rev. B: Condens. Matter; (United States) Vol. 33:1; ISSN PRBMD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360104* -- Metals &amp; Alloys-- Physical Properties
656102 -- Solid State Physics-- Superconductivity-- Acoustic
Electronic
Magnetic
Optical
&amp; Thermal Phenomena-- (-1987)
75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS
SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND SUPERFLUIDITY
ACTINIDE ALLOYS
ALLOY SYSTEMS
ALLOYS
CRITICAL FIELD
DIAGRAMS
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
INTERMETALLIC COMPOUNDS
LANTHANUM ALLOYS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETIC PROPERTIES
MAGNETIC SUSCEPTIBILITY
MAGNETIZATION
NEODYMIUM ALLOYS
PHASE DIAGRAMS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PLATINUM METAL ALLOYS
PRESSURE DEPENDENCE
RARE EARTH ALLOYS
RUTHENIUM ALLOYS
SUPERCONDUCTIVITY
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE
TERNARY ALLOY SYSTEMS
THORIUM ALLOYS