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High-resolution ac-calorimetry studies of the quasi-2D organic superconductor $κ$-(BEDT-TTF)$_2$Cu(NCS)$_2$

J. Müller·M. Lang·R. Helfrich·F. Steglich·T. Sasaki
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Abstract

We report high-resolution specific heat measurements on the quasi-2D organic superconductor $κ$-(BEDT-TTF)$_2$Cu(NCS)$_2$, performed by using a most sensitive ac-modulation technique. The main observations are (i) a discontinuity at \tc\ much in excess of what is expected for a weak-coupling BCS superconductor and (ii) a quasiparticle contribution to the specific heat with an exponentially weak temperature dependence at $T \ll T_c$. The latter finding is incompatible with an order parameter that vanishes at certain parts of the Fermi surface. The data for $T \leq T_c$ can be well described by a strong-coupling extension of the BCS theory - the $α$-model - similar to what has been recently found for the $κ$-(BEDT-TTF)$_2$Cu[N(CN)$_2$]Br salt [Elsinger {\em et al.}, Phys. Rev. Lett. {\bf 84}, 6098 (2000)].

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J. Müller, M. Lang, R. Helfrich, F. Steglich, T. Sasaki. 2001-09-03. High-resolution ac-calorimetry studies of the quasi-2D organic superconductor $κ$-(BEDT-TTF)$_2$Cu(NCS)$_2$. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevb.65.140509

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