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arXiv · 1305.5130

Pauli-Limited Multiband Superconductivity in KFe2As2

D. A. Zocco·K. Grube·F. Eilers·T. Wolf·H. v. Löhneysen
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Abstract

The upper critical field Hc2(T) of the multiband superconductor KFe2As2 has been studied via low-temperature thermal expansion and magnetostriction measurements. We present compelling evidence for Pauli-limiting effects dominating Hc2(T) for H || a, as revealed by a crossover from second- to first-order phase transitions to the superconducting state in the magnetostriction measurements down to 50 mK. Corresponding features were absent for H || c. To our knowledge, this crossover constitutes the first confirmation of Pauli limiting of the Hc2(T) of a multiband superconductor. The results are supported by modeling Pauli limits for single-band and multiband cases.

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D. A. Zocco, K. Grube, F. Eilers, T. Wolf, H. v. Löhneysen. 2013-09-02. Pauli-Limited Multiband Superconductivity in KFe2As2. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.111.057007

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