Nearly Isotropic Quantum-Critical Transport in Single-Crystal CeNiC2

Abstract

Pressure-induced superconductivity and $T$-linear resistivity have been reported in polycrystalline CeNiC$_2$, but orientational averaging has left the directional character of the critical scattering unresolved. We report pressure-dependent resistivity of high-quality single crystals for current along each crystallographic axis. These crystals have substantially lower residual resistivity and a slightly higher maximum onset $T_c$ than the polycrystalline sample, placing superconductivity in a cleaner transport regime. Near $P_c \approx 9.5-10$ GPa, the normal-state resistivity becomes nearly $T$-linear along every axis, the fitted residual resistivity is strongly enhanced, and superconductivity forms a narrow dome. For $I \parallel b$, the $T$-linear normal state remains nearly unchanged in magnetic fields up to 9 T applied along $a$ and $c$; the upper critical field is large and only moderately anisotropic. The common evolution along all three axes establishes a nearly isotropic quantum-critical transport regime, inconsistent with a simple low-dimensional spin-fluctuation picture and implicates valence fluctuations as the leading source of critical scattering associated with the superconducting dome.