arXiv subjects

Shyam Sundar

Publications and source records attributed to Shyam Sundar.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Enhanced Kadowaki-Woods Ratio and Weak-Coupling Superconductivity in Noncentrosymmetric YPt$_2$Si$_2$ Single Crystals

Superconductivity in noncentrosymmetric RPt2Si2 (R = rare earth) compounds exhibit a rich playground to explore the competition between different ground states, such as unconventional superconductivity, antiferromagnetism and charge density wave. Here, we report the successful single crystal synthesis of noncentrosymmetric YPt2Si2 superconductor, with a transition temperature Tc = 1.67 K, via Sn flux method. The high quality of the prepared single crystals was confirmed using powder and Laue XRD measurements. The superconducting and normal state properties are investigated using electrical transport and heat capacity measurements down to 0.5 K. In the normal state, unlike LaPt2Si2, no charge density wave transition is observed in YPt2Si2, as evidenced by electrical transport and specific heat measurements. A relatively large Kadowaki-Woods ratio and a linear temperature variation of the electrical resistivity in an extended temperature range of 50-300 K suggest an unconventional normal-state in YPt2Si2. The estimated superconducting parameters indicate that YPt2Si2 is a type-II superconductor with weak electron-phonon coupling. The temperature dependence of specific heat in the superconducting state can be explained reasonably well using an isotropic two-gap model. A positive curvature near Tc in the temperature variation of upper critical field also supports the two-gap superconductivity. First-principles DFT calculations suggest a BCS-like superconducting state driven primarily by d-electron contributions. The calculated electron-phonon coupling constant identifies the material as a weak-coupling superconductor, with the McMillan-Allen-Dynes formula yielding a Tc of 1.8 K. Additionally, we provide a comparative analysis of the superconducting and normal-state properties of YPt2Si2 and compositionally similar LaPt2Si2.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2026

Anomalous temperature dependence of the electrical resistivity in R$_3$Co$_4$Ge$_{13}$ (R = Y, Lu) single crystals

The presence of strong disorder can significantly impact electrical conduction in metallic systems. Here, we investigate the temperature dependence of the electrical resistivity, $\rho(T)$, in nonmagnetic single crystals of the Remeika-phase cage compounds R$_3$Co$_4$Ge$_{13}$ (R = Y, Lu). Contrary to the density of states (DOS) calculations in the literature, the experimentally measured $\rho(T)$ in both compounds exhibits semiconducting-like behavior, which we attribute to the strong structural disorder due to its unique crystal structure and low carrier-density. A detailed analysis of the electrical resistivity data reveals that neither the Arrhenius thermal activation law nor variable-range hopping (VRH) models can adequately describe their temperature dependence over the broad temperature range of 2-350 K. However, a model incorporating parallel conduction through both semiconducting and metallic channels provides an adequate explanation. In addition to a dominant metallic conduction below $\sim 10$~K, a negative temperature coefficient of the electrical resistivity ($d\rho/dT$) is found in both samples. In the absence of magnetic impurities, the observed $d\rho/dT < 0$ is interpreted in terms of the structural Kondo mechanism.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2023

Gap structure of the non-symmorphic superconductor LaNiGa2 probed by muSR

We report muon spin rotation (muSR) measurements of the temperature dependence of the absolute value of the magnetic penetration depth and the magnetic field dependence of the vortex core size in the mixed state of the non-symmorphic superconductor LaNiGa2. The temperature dependence of the normalized superfluid density is shown to be well described by a two-band model with strong interband coupling. Consistent with a strong coupling of the superconducting condensates in two different bands, we show that the field dependence of the vortex core size resembles that of a single-band superconductor. Our results lend support to the proposal that LaNiGa2 is a fully-gapped, internally antisymmetric nonunitary spin-triplet superconductor.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2023

Order-disorder phase transition and elastic-to-plastic vortex creep crossover in a triclinic iron pnictide superconductor (Ca0.85La0.15)10(Pt3As8)(Fe2As2)5

Vortex matter in layered high-$T_c$ superconductors, including iron-pnictides, undergo several thermodynamic phase transitions due to the complex interplay of pinning energy, thermal energy and elastic energy. Moreover, the presence of anisotropy makes their vortex physics even more intriguing. Here, we report a detailed vortex dynamics study, using dc magnetization measurements, in a triclinic iron-pnictide superconductor (Ca$_{0.85}$La$_{0.15}$)$_{10}$(Pt$_3$As$_8$)(Fe$_2$As$_2$)$_5$, with a superconducting transition temperature, T$_c$ $\sim$ 31 K. A second magnetization peak (SMP) feature is observed for magnetic field perpendicular ($H$$\parallel$$c$) and parallel ($H$$\parallel$$ab$) to the crystal plane. However, its fundamental origin is quite different in both directions. For $H$$\parallel$$c$, the SMP can be well explained using an elastic-to-plastic vortex creep crossover, using collective creep theory. In addition, a possible rhombic-to-square vortex lattice phase transition is also observed for fields in between the onset-field and peak-field related to the SMP. On the other hand, for $H$$\parallel$$ab$, a clear signature of an order-disorder vortex phase transition is observed in the isothermal $M$($H$) measurements at $T$ $\geq$ 6 K. The disordered phase exhibits the characteristics of entangled pinned vortex-liquid. We construct a comprehensive vortex phase diagram by displaying characteristic temperatures and magnetic fields for both crystal geometries in this unique superconducting compound. Our study sheds light on the intricate vortex dynamics and pinning in an iron-pnictide superconductor with triclinic symmetry.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2023

Ubiquitous Spin Freezing in the Superconducting State of UTe2

In most superconductors electrons form Cooper pairs in a spin-singlet state mediated by either phonons or by long-range interactions such as spin fluctuations. The superconductor UTe$_2$ is a rare material wherein electrons are believed to form pairs in a unique spin-triplet state with potential topological properties. While spin-triplet pairing may be mediated by ferromagnetic or antiferromagnetic fluctuations, experimentally, the magnetic properties of UTe$_2$ are unclear. By way of muon spin rotation/relaxation ($μ$SR) measurements on independently grown UTe$_2$ single crystals we demonstrate the existence of magnetic clusters that gradually freeze into a disordered spin frozen state at low temperatures. Our findings suggest that inhomogeneous freezing of magnetic clusters is linked to the ubiquitous residual linear term in the temperature dependence of the specific heat ($C$) and the low-temperature upturn in $C/T$ versus $T$. The omnipresent magnetic inhomogeneity has potential implications for experiments aimed at establishing the intrinsic low-temperature properties of UTe$_2$.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2022

Second magnetization peak, anomalous field penetration, and Josephson vortices in KCa$_2$Fe$_4$As$_4$F$_2$ bilayer pnictide superconductor

We performed magnetization measurements in a single crystal of the anisotropic bilayer pnictide superconductor KCa$_2$Fe$_4$As$_4$F$_2$, with $T_c$ $\simeq$ 34 K, for $H$$\parallel$$c$-axis and $H$$\parallel$$ab$-planes. A second magnetization peak (SMP) was observed in the isothermal $M(H)$ curves measured below 16 K for $H$$\parallel$$ab$-planes. A peak in the temperature variation of the critical current density, $J_{c}$($T$), at 16 K, strongly suggests the emergence of Josephson vortices at lower temperatures, which leads to the SMP in the sample. In addition, it is noticed that the appearance of Josephson vortices below 16 K renders easy magnetic flux penetration. A detailed vortex dynamics study suggests that the SMP can be explained in terms of elastic pinning to plastic pinning crossover. Furthermore, contrary to the common understanding, the temperature variation of the first peak field, $H_1$, below and above 16 K, behaves non-monotonically. A highly disordered vortex phase, governed by plastic pinning, has been observed between 17 K and 23 K, within a field region around an extremely large first peak field. Pinning force scaling suggests that the point defects are the dominant source of pinning for $H$ $\parallel$$ab$-planes, whereas, for H $\parallel$$c$-axis, point defects in addition to surface defects are at play. Such disorder contributes to the pinning due to the variation in charge carrier mean free path, $δ$$l$-pinning. Moreover, the large $J_c$ observed in our study is consistent with the literature, which advocates this material for high magnetic field applications.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2021

Vortex dynamics and second magnetization peak in the iron-pnictide superconductor Ca$_{0.82}$La$_{0.18}$Fe$_{0.96}$Ni$_{0.04}$As$_2$

We report the studies of detailed magnetic relaxation and isothermal magnetization measurements in the vortex state of the 112-type iron-pnictide Ca$_{0.82}$La$_{0.18}$Fe$_{0.96}$Ni$_{0.04}$As$_2$ superconductor with $T_c$ $\sim$ 22 K. In the isothermal $M(H)$, a well defined second magnetization peak (SMP) feature is observed in the entire temperature range below $T_c$ for measurements with $H$ $\parallel$ $c$-axis. However, for $H$ $\parallel$ $ab$-planes, the SMP feature is suppressed at low temperatures, which might be due to 2D Josephson vortices forming at low temperatures and high magnetic fields in such an anisotropic system. A rigorous analysis considering the magnetic relaxation data for $H$ $\parallel$ $c$-axis suggests an elastic to plastic pinning crossover across $H_p$, which also seems accompanied with a possible phase transition in vortex lattice near $H_p$. Moreover, point disorder and surface defects are likely to be the dominant sources of pinning, which contribute to the $δl$-type of pinning in the sample. A high $J_c$, in access of 10$^5$ A/cm$^2$ observed could potentially make this material technologically important.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2020

Two-Gap Time Reversal Symmetry Breaking Superconductivity in Non-Centrosymmetric LaNiC2

We report a $μ$SR investigation of a non-centrosymmetric superconductor (LaNiC$_2$) in single crystal form. Compared to previous $μ$SR studies of non-centrosymmetric superconducting polycrystalline and powder samples, the unambiguous orientation of single crystals enables a simultaneous determination of the absolute value of the magnetic penetration depth and the vortex core size from measurements that probe the magnetic field distribution in the vortex state. The magnetic field dependence of these quantities unambiguously demonstrates the presence of two nodeless superconducting energy gaps. In addition, we detect weak internal magnetic fields in the superconducting phase, confirming earlier $μ$SR evidence for a time-reversal symmetry breaking superconducting state. Our results suggest that Cooper pairing in LaNiC$_2$ is characterized by the same interorbital equal-spin pairing model introduced to describe the pairing state in the centrosymmetric superconductor LaNiGa$_2$.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2020

Vortex Dynamics and Phase Diagram in the Electron Doped Cuprate Superconductor Pr$_{0.87}$LaCe$_{0.13}$CuO$_4$

Second magnetization peak (SMP) in hole-doped cuprates and iron pnictide superconductors has been widely explored. However, similar feature in the family of electron-doped cuprates is not common. Here, we report the vortex dynamics study in the single crystal of an electron-doped cuprate Pr$_{0.87}$LaCe$_{0.13}$CuO$_4$ superconductor using dc magnetization measurements. A SMP feature in the isothermal $M(H)$ was observed for $H$$\parallel$$ab$-planes. On the other hand, no such feature was observed for $H$$\parallel$$c$-axis in the crystal. Using magnetic relaxation data, a detailed analysis of activation pinning energy via collective creep theory suggests an elastic to plastic creep crossover across the SMP. Moreover, for $H$$\parallel$$ab$, a peak in the temperature dependence of critical current density is also observed near 7 K, which is likely be related to a dimensional crossover (3D-2D) associated to the emergence of Josephson vortices at low temperatures. The anisotropy parameter obtained $γ$ $\approx$ 8-11 indicates the 3D nature of vortex lattice mainly for $H$$\parallel$$c$-axis. The $H$-$T$ phase diagrams for $H$$\parallel$$c$ and $H$$\parallel$$ab$ are presented.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2020

Localization of electronic states resulting from electronic topological transitions in the Mo$_{1-x}$Re$_x$ alloys: A photoemission study

We present the results of resonant photoemission spectroscopy experiments on the Mo$_{1-x}$Re$_{x}$ alloy compositions spanning over two electronic topological transitions (ETT) at the critical concentrations $x_{C1}$ = 0.05 and $x_{C2}$ = 0.11. The photoelectrons show an additional resonance ($R3$) in the constant initial state (CIS) spectra of the alloys along with two resonances ($R1$ and $R2$) which are similar to those observed in molybdenum. All the resonances show Fano-like line shapes. The asymmetry parameter $q$ of the resonances $R1$ and $R3$ of the alloys is observed to be large and negative. Our analysis suggests that the origin of large negative q is associated with phonon assisted inter band scattering between the Mo-like states and the narrow band that appeared due to the ETT.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2020

Absence of $μ$SR evidence for magnetic order in the pseudogap phase of Bi$_{2+x}$Sr$_{2-x}$CaCu$_2$O$_{8+δ}$

We present an extended zero-field muon spin relaxation (ZF-$μ$SR) study of overdoped Bi$_{2+x}$Sr$_{2-x}$CaCu$_2$O$_{8+δ}$ (Bi2212) single crystals, intended to elucidate the origin of weak quasistatic magnetism previously detected by $μ$SR in the superconducting and normal states of optimally-doped and overdoped samples. New results on heavily-overdoped single crystals show a similar monotonically decreasing ZF-$μ$SR relaxation rate with increasing temperature that persists above the pseudogap (PG) temperature $T^*$ and does not evolve with hole doping ($p$). Additional measurements using an ultra-low background apparatus confirm that this behavior is an intrinsic property of Bi2212, which cannot be due to magnetic order associated with the PG phase. Instead we show that the temperature-dependent relaxation rate is most likely caused by structural changes that modify the contribution of the nuclear dipole fields to the ZF-$μ$SR signal. Our results for Bi2212 emphasize the importance of not assuming the nuclear-dipole field contribution is independent of temperature in ZF-$μ$SR studies of high-temperature (high-$T_c$) cuprate superconductors, and do not support a recent $μ$SR study of YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{6+x}$ that claims to detect magnetic order in the PG phase.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2019

Coexistence of ferromagnetic fluctuations and superconductivity in the actinide superconductor UTe2

We report low-temperature muon spin relaxation/rotation (muSR) measurements on single crystals of the actinide superconductor UTe2. Below 5 K we observe a continuous slowing down of magnetic fluctuations that persists through the superconducting (SC) transition temperature (Tc = 1.6 K), but we find no evidence of long-range or local magnetic order down to 0.025 K. The temperature dependence of the dynamic relaxation rate down to 0.4 K agrees with the self-consistent renormalization theory of spin fluctuations for a three-dimensional weak itinerant ferromagnetic metal. Our muSR measurements also indicate that the superconductivity coexists with the magnetic fluctuations.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2019

Strong pinning in the hole-doped pnictide superconductor La$_{0.34}$Na$_{0.66}$Fe$_2$As$_2$

We present magnetization studies as a function of time, temperature and magnetic field for $H$ $\parallel$ c-axis, in a hole-doped pnictide superconductor, La$_{0.34}$Na$_{0.66}$Fe$_2$As$_2$, with, $T_c$ $\approx$ 27 K. The obtained vortex phase-diagram shows that the magnetic irreversibility line is very close to the mean-field superconducting transition line, similar to the low $T_c$ superconductors, evidencing a strong pinning behavior. The irreversibility line does not follow a power law behavior with ($T_c$-$T$), however, it is well described using an expression developed in the literature considering the effect of disorder in the system. The critical current density estimated using the Bean's critical-state model is found to be of the order of 10$^5$ A/cm$^2$ below 12 K in the limit of zero magnetic field. A plot of the normalized pinning force density as a function of the reduced magnetic field at different temperatures shows a good scaling and the analysis suggests that the vortex pinning is due to normal point like pinning centers. The temperature dependence of the critical current density suggests that the pinning due to the variation in charge carrier mean free path alone is not sufficient to explain the experimental data. Magnetic relaxation rate as a function of temperature and magnetic field is also studied.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2019

Doping Dependence of the Second Magnetization Peak, Critical Current Density and Pinning Mechanism in BaFe$_{2-x}$Ni$_x$As$_2$ Pnictide Superconductors

A series of high quality BaFe$_{2-x}$Ni$_x$As$_2$ pnictide superconductors were studied using magnetic relaxation and isothermal magnetic measurements in order to study the second magnetization peak (SMP) and critical current behaviour in Ni-doped 122 family. The temperature dependence of the magnetic relaxation rate suggests a pinning crossover, whereas, it's magnetic field dependence hints a vortex-lattice structural phase-transition. The activation energy ($U$) estimated using the magnetic relaxation data was analyzed in detail for slightly-underdoped, slightly-overdoped and an overdoped samples, using Maley's method and collective creep theory. Our results confirm that the SMP in these samples is due to the collective (elastic) to plastic creep crossover as has been observed for the other members of 122-family. In addition, we also investigated the doping dependence of the critical current density ($J_c$) and the vortex-pinning behaviour in these compounds. The observed $J_c$ is higher than the threshold limit (10$^5$ A/cm$^2$) considered for the technological potential and even greater than 1 MA/cm$^2$ for slightly underdoped Ni-content, x = 0.092 sample. The pinning characteristics were analyzed in terms of the models developed by Dew-Hughes and Griessen $et$ $al$, which suggest the dominant role of $δl$-type pinning.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2018

Study of Nb$_{0.18}$Re$_{0.82}$ non-centrosymmetric superconductor in the normal and superconducting states

We examine the evidence for multiband superconductivity and non s-wave pairing in the non-centrosymmetric superconductor Nb$_{0.18}$Re$_{0.82}$, using electrical transport, magnetization and specific heat measurements. In the normal state, both the evolution of resistivity with temperature and with magnetic field support a multiband picture. In the superconducting state, the Werthamer, Helfand and Hohenberg (WHH) model cannot adequately describe the temperature dependence of the upper critical field, $H_{c2}(T)$, over the whole temperature range measured. In addition, the observed $H_{c2}(0)$ exceeds the Pauli limit, suggesting non-s-wave pairing. Interestingly, the Kadowaki-Woods ratio and Uemura plot reveal a behavior in Nb$_{0.18}$Re$_{0.82}$ which is similar to that found in unconventional superconductors. The temperature dependence of the lower critical field, $H_{c1}(T)$, follows an anomalous $T^3$ behavior and the derived normalized superfluid density ($ρ_s$) is well explained using a nodeless two-gap description. Phase-fluctuation analysis conducted on the reversible magnetization data, reveals a significant deviation from the mean-field conventional s-wave behavior. This trend is interpreted in terms of a non s-wave spin-triplet component in the pairing symmetry as might be anticipated in a non-centrosymmetric superconductor where anti-symmetric spin-orbit coupling plays a dominant role.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2018

High field paramagnetic Meissner effect in Mo$_{100-x}$Re$_x$ alloy superconductors

We have performed an experimental study on the temperature and field dependence of magnetization of a series of superconducting Mo$_{100-x}$Re$_x$ alloys. Our studies reveal the presence of high field paramagnetic effect (HFPME) in these low temperature superconductors. The results of our studies indicate that the HFPME in the Mo$_{100-x}$Re$_x$ alloys is related to the inhomogeneous distribution of strong and weak flux-line pinning centers, and the flux compression resulting due to the same while cooling down the samples in the presence of high magnetic fields. The results are complemented by the studies on the temperature dependence of the electrical resistivity and heat capacity of these alloys in different constant magnetic fields. We compare our findings with the studies reported in literature on both low $T_C$ and high $T_C$ superconductors.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2018

Strong electron-phonon coupling and multiband effects in the superconducting $β$-phase Mo$_{1-x}$Re$_x$ alloys

Superconducting transition temperature $T_C$ of some of the cubic $β$-phase Mo$_{1-x}$Re$_x$ alloys with x > 0.10 is an order of magnitude higher than that in the elements Mo and Re. We investigate this rather enigmatic issue of the enhanced superconductivity with the help of experimental studies of the temperature dependent electrical resistivity ($ρ$(T)) and heat capacity (C$_P$(T)), as well as the theoretical estimation of electronic density of states (DOS) using band structure calculations. The $ρ$(T) in the normal state of the Mo$_{1-x}$Re$_x$ alloys with x > 0.15 is distinctly different from that of Mo and the alloys with x < 0.10. We have also observed that the Sommerfeld coefficient of electronic heat capacity $γ$, superconducting transition temperature $T_C$ and the DOS at the Fermi level show an abrupt change above x > 0.10. The analysis of these results indicates that the value of electron-phonon coupling constant λep required to explain the $T_C$ of the alloys with x > 0.10 is much higher than that estimated from $γ$. On the other hand the analysis of the results of the $ρ$(T) reveals the presence of phonon assisted inter-band s-d scattering in this composition range. We argue that a strong electron-phonon coupling arising due to the multiband effects is responsible for the enhanced $T_C$ in the $β$-phase Mo$_{1-x}$Re$_x$ alloys with x > 0.10.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2018

Evidence of multiband superconductivity in the $β$-phase Mo$_{1-x}$Re$_x$ alloys

We present a detailed study of the superconducting properties in the beta-phase Mo$_{1-x}$Re$_x$ (x = 0.25 and 0.4) solid solution alloys pursued through magnetization and heat capacity measurements. The temperature dependence of the upper critical field H$_{C2}$(T) in these binary alloys shows a deviation from the prediction of the Werthamer-Helfand-Hohenberg (WHH) theory. The temperature dependence of superfluid density estimated from the variation of lower critical field H$_{C1}$ with temperature, cannot be explained within the framework of a single superconducting energy gap. The heat capacity also shows an anomalous feature in its temperature dependence. All these results can be reasonably explained by considering the existence of two superconducting energy gaps in these Mo$_{1-x}$Re$_x$ alloys. Initial results of electronic structure calculations and resonant photoelectron spectroscopy measurements support this possibility and suggest that the Re-5d like states at the Fermi level may not intermix with the Mo-5p and 5s like states in the beta-phase Mo$_{1-x}$Re$_x$ alloys and contribute quite distinctly to the superconductivity of these alloys.

cond-mat.supr-con↗