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Conventional s-wave superconductivity and hidden peak effect in single crystals of Mo$_8$Ga$_41$ superconductor
by Sunil Ghimire, Kyuil Cho, Kamal R. Joshi, Makariy A. Tanatar, Zhixiang Hu, Cedomir Petrovic, Ruslan Prozorov
Submission summary
| Authors (as registered SciPost users): | Ruslan Prozorov |
| Submission information | |
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| Preprint Link: | scipost_202407_00012v1 (pdf) |
| Date submitted: | 2024-07-07 23:14 |
| Submitted by: | Prozorov, Ruslan |
| Submitted to: | SciPost Physics |
| Ontological classification | |
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| Academic field: | Physics |
| Specialties: |
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| Approach: | Experimental |
Abstract
London and Campbell penetration depths were measured in single crystals of the endohedral gallide cluster superconductor, Mo$_{8}$Ga$_{41}$. The full temperature range superfluid density is consistent with the clean isotropic $s-$wave weak-coupling BCS theory without any signs of the second gap or strong coupling. The temperature dependence of the Campbell length is hysteretic between zero-field cooling (ZFC) and field-cooling (FC) protocols, indicating an anharmonic vortex pinning potential. The field dependence of the effective critical current density, $j_{c}\left(H\right)$, reveals an unusual result. While in the ZFC protocol, $j_{c}\left(H\right)$ is monotonically suppressed by the magnetic field, it exhibits a profound "hidden" peak effect in the FC protocol, that is, without a vortex density gradient. We suggest a possible novel mechanism for the formation of the peak effect, which involves both static and dynamic aspects.
Author indications on fulfilling journal expectations
- Provide a novel and synergetic link between different research areas.
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- Detail a groundbreaking theoretical/experimental/computational discovery
- Present a breakthrough on a previously-identified and long-standing research stumbling block