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Title: Superconductivity in the presence of disorder in skutterudite-related La3Co4Sn13 and La3Ru4Sn13 compounds: Electrical transport and magnetic studies

Journal Article · · Journal of Alloys and Compounds
 [1];  [1];  [1];  [2];  [2]
  1. Univ. of Silesia, Katowice (Poland)
  2. Univ. of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA (United States)

La3Co4Sn13 and La3Ru4Sn13 were categorized as BCS superconductors. In a plot of the critical field Hc2 vs T, La3Ru4Sn13 displays a second superconducting phase at the higher critical temperature Tc*, characteristic of inhomogeneous superconductors, while La3Co4Sn13 shows bulk superconductivity below Tc. We observe a decrease in critical temperatures with external pressure and magnetic field for both compounds. Additionally, for La3Ru4Sn13 we find that Tc*/dP>dTc/dP. The pressure dependences of Tc are interpreted according to the McMillan theory and understood to be a consequence of lattice stiffening. The investigation of the superconducting state of La3CoxRu4–xSn13 shows a Tc* that is larger then Tc for x < 4. Furthermore, this unique and unexpected observation is discussed as a result of the local disorder and/or the effect of chemical pressure when Ru atoms are partially replaced by smaller Co atoms.

Research Organization:
Univ. of California, San Diego, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
Grant/Contract Number:
NA0002909; NA0001841
OSTI ID:
1257507
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1339176
Journal Information:
Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Vol. 646, Issue C; ISSN 0925-8388
Publisher:
ElsevierCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 19 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science