arXiv subjects

D. Sóñora

Publications and source records attributed to D. Sóñora.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2021

Multiband effects on the upper critical field angular dependence of 122-family iron pnictide superconductors

Detailed measurements of the in-plane resistivity were performed in a high-quality Ba(Fe$_{1-x}$Co$_{x}$)$_2$As$_2$ ($x=0.065$) single crystal, in magnetic fields up to 9 T and with different orientations $θ$ relative to the crystal $c$ axis. A significant $ρ(T)_{H,θ}$ rounding is observed just above the superconducting critical temperature $T_c$ due to Cooper pairs created by superconducting fluctuations. These data are analyzed in terms of a generalization of the Aslamazov-Larkin approach, that extends its applicability to high reduced-temperatures and magnetic fields. This method allows us to carry out a criterion-independent determination of the angular dependence of the upper critical field, $H_{c2}(θ)$. In spite of the relatively small anisotropy of this compound, it is found that $H_{c2}(θ)$ presents a significant deviation from the single-band 3D anisotropic Ginzburg-Landau (3D-aGL) approach, particularly for large $θ$ (typically above $\sim60^o$). These results are interpreted in terms of the multiband nature of these materials, in contrast with other proposals for similar $H_{c2}(θ)$ anomalies. Our results are also consistent with an effective anisotropy factor almost temperature independent near $T_c$, a result that differs from the ones obtained by using a single-band model.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2021

Comment on 'Temperature range of superconducting fluctuations above $T_c$ in YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{7-δ}$ single crystals'

Contrary to the starting assumption of Grbić et al. (Phys. Rev. B 83, 144508 (2011)), here we will first argue that a 16 T magnetic field is not enough to quench all superconducting fluctuations above Tc in YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{7-δ}$. We then conclude that through their measurements of microwave absorption these authors actually determine the ac-fluctuation magnetoconductivity at 16 T, instead of the zero-field ac paraconductivity as they pretend. So, the temperature proposed by Grbić et al. for the onset of the superconducting fluctuations, T', will correspond to the one at which the finite-field effects at 16 T become measurable in their experiments, and the actual fluctuations onset will be located well above T'. These conclusions, which also concern influential recent publications on that issue, are then confirmed by analyzing some of the Grbić et al., data on the grounds of the Gaussian Ginzburg-Landau (GGL) approach for the finite-field (or Prange) fluctuation regime.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2019

The paraconductivity of granular Al-films at high reduced temperatures and magnetic fields

The electrical conductivity induced near the superconducting transition by thermal fluctuations was measured in different granular aluminum films. The seemingly anomalous behavior at high reduced temperatures and magnetic fields is explained by taking into account a total-energy cutoff in the superconducting fluctuation spectrum in both the direct (Aslamazov-Larkin) and the indirect (anomalous Maki-Thompson) contributions to the fluctuation effects. The analysis allowed a reliable determination of the coherence length amplitudes, which resulted to be much larger (20-48 nm) than the grains size (5-10 nm). This suggests that the grains are strongly Josephson-coupled, while the Tc value is still as high as twice the bulk value. These results could contribute to identify the mechanisms enhancing Tc in these materials.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2018

Study of the second magnetization peak and the pinning behaviour in Ba(Fe$_{0.935}$Co$_{0.065}$)$_2$As$_2

Isothermal magnetic field dependence of magnetization and the magnetic relaxation measurements were performed for $H$$\parallel$c axis on single crystal of Ba(Fe$_{0.935}$Co$_{0.065}$)$_2$As$_2$ pnictide superconductor having $T_c$ = 21.7 K. The second magnetization peak (SMP) for each isothermal $M(H)$ was observed in a wide temperature range from $T_c$ to the lowest temperature of measurement (2 K). Magnetic field dependence of relaxation rate $R(H)$, shows a peak (H$_{spt}$) between H$_{on}$ (onset of SMP in $M(H)$) and H$_p$ (peak field of SMP in $M(H)$), which is likely to be related with a vortex-lattice structural phase transition, as suggested in literature for similar sample. In addition, the magnetic relaxation measured for magnetic fields near H$_{spt}$ show some noise which might be the signature of the structural phase transition of the vortex lattice. Analysis of the magnetic relaxation data using Maley's criterion and the collective pinning theory suggests that the second magnetization peak (SMP) in the sample is due to the collective (elastic) to plastic creep crossover, which is also accompanied with a rhombic to square vortex lattice phase transition. Analysis of the pinning force density suggests single dominating pinning mechanism in the sample and is not showing the usual $δ$l and $δT_c$ nature of pinning. The critical current density ($J_c$) estimated using the Bean's critical state model is found to be 5 $\times$ 10$^5$ A/cm$^2$ at 2 K in the zero magnetic field limit. Surprisingly, the maximum in the pinning force density is not responsible for the maximum value of the critical current density in the sample.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2017

Quasi-2D behavior of 112-type iron-based superconductors

Fluctuation magnetoconductivity and magnetization above the superconducting transition temperature (Tc) are measured on the recently discovered 112 family of iron-based superconductors (IBS), Ca$_{1-x}$La$_x$Fe$_{1-y}$Ni$_y$As$_2$, which presents an extra As-As chain spacer-layer. The analysis in terms of a generalization of the Lawrence-Doniach (LD) approach to finite applied magnetic fields indicates that these compounds are among the most anisotropic IBS ($γ$ up to ~30), and provides a compelling evidence of a quasi-two-dimensional behavior for doping levels near the optimal one.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2015

Magnetic field dependence of the precursor diamagnetism in La superconductors with magnetic Pr impurities

The interplay between fluctuating Cooper pairs and magnetic impurities in conventional BCS low-Tc superconductors has been studied through measurements of the magnetic field dependence of the fluctuation diamagnetism (FD) above Tc in lanthanum with praseodymium impurities. These measurements provide a crucial confirmation of our previous observation [Europhys. Lett. 73, 587 (2006)] that in the dilute impurity regime the FD increases almost linearly with the concentration of magnetic impurities. This striking effect is attributed to a variation due to the presence of the fluctuating Cooper pairs of the coupling between magnetic impurities. To describe these results at a phenomenological level, we propose a Gaussian Ginzburg-Landau model for the FD which includes an indirect contribution proportional to both the impurities concentration and the Cooper pairs density. Our approach is able to explain simultaneously the FD increase due to magnetic impurities and its decrease with the application of large magnetic fields.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2015

Experimental observation of an anomalous peak in isofield M(T) curves in BaFe$_2$(As$_{1-x}$P$_x$)$_2$ resembling the fish-tail in $M$($H$) curves further suggesting a possible phase transition in the irreversible regime

We measure magnetization as a function of temperature, magnetic field and time in a BaFe$_2$(As$_{0.68}$P$_{0.32}$)$_2$ single crystal with $T_c$ = 27.6 K. The fish-tail observed on many $M$($H$) curves are used to construct isofield $M$($T$) curves which show an anomalous peak at some temperature $Tt$ suggesting a possible phase transition in the irreversible regime. A vortex dynamics study performed along the peaks evidences a minimum in the relaxation rate occurring at the same position $Tt$ of the minimum value of $M$ in these peaks. A vortex dynamics study performed on $M$($H$) curves show two distinct minimum in the relaxation rate: a first minimum ($H1$) for a lower field correlating with $Tt$ and a second ($H2$) correlating with the peak in the fish-tail. A phase diagram is constructed and the line corresponding to $Tt$ and $H1$ points obey an expression developed in the literature for a structural rhombic to square lattice phase transition, further supporting this view.

cond-mat.supr-con↗