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Superconductivity: a probe of the magnetic state of local moments in metals

Conference · · AIP (Am. Inst. Phys.) Conf. Proc.; (United States)
OSTI ID:7230914
The superconducting properties of exemplary matrix-impurity systems in the three distinct regimes of magnetic character of the impurity which have been identified are reviewed. The three regimes can be distinguished by the detailed behavior of the depressions of (1) the superconducting transition temperature T/sub c/ as a function of impurity concentration n and (2) the specific heat jump ..delta..C at T/sub c/ as a function of T/sub c/. These systematics of superconductivity in the presence of local moments appear to be sufficiently well established that it is possible to (1) ascertain whether the solute spin is long-lived (magnetic) or short-lived (nonmagnetic) compared to thermal fluctuation lifetimes at superconducting temperatures; (2) determine the sign and magnitude of the conduction electron-impurity spin exchange interaction parameter I and the temperature dependence of the exchange scattering of conduction electrons by long-lived solute spins, (3) derive, in favorable cases, information pertaining to the energy level structure of rare earth ions in the crystalline electric field or their superconducting metallic host, and (4) observe magnetic-nonmagnetic transitions of an impurity induced by the application of an external pressure or variation of the composition of a binary alloy matrix.
Research Organization:
Univ. of California, San Diego, La Jolla
OSTI ID:
7230914
Conference Information:
Journal Name: AIP (Am. Inst. Phys.) Conf. Proc.; (United States) Journal Volume: 34
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English