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arXiv · 2102.01607

The structure of the superconducting high-pressure phase of Sc$_3$CoC$_4$

Jan Langmann·Marcel Vöst·Dominik Schmitz·Christof Haas·Georg Eickerling·Anton Jesche·Michael Nicklas·Arianna Lanza·Nicola Casati·Piero Macchi·Wolfgang Scherer
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Abstract

We investigate pressure-induced structural changes to the Peierls-type distorted low-temperature phase of the low-dimensional Sc$_3$CoC$_4$ as a possible origin of its pressure-enhanced superconductivity. By means of cryogenic high-pressure x-ray diffraction experiments we could reveal subtle, but significant structural differences between the low-temperature phase at ambient and elevated pressures. We could thus establish the structure of the superconducting phase of the title compound which interestingly still shows the main features of the Peierls-type distorted low-temperature phase. This indicates that in contrast to other low-dimensional materials a suppression of periodic structural distortions is no prerequisite for superconducitivity in the transition metal carbide.

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Jan Langmann, Marcel Vöst, Dominik Schmitz, Christof Haas, Georg Eickerling, Anton Jesche, Michael Nicklas, Arianna Lanza, Nicola Casati, Piero Macchi, Wolfgang Scherer. 2021-02-02. The structure of the superconducting high-pressure phase of Sc$_3$CoC$_4$. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevb.103.184101

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