Localized 5f electrons in superconducting PuCoIn5: consequences for superconductivity in PuCoGa5

The physical properties of the first In analog of the PuMGa5 (M = Co, Rh) family of superconductors, PuCoIn5, are reported. With its unit cell volume being 28% larger than that of PuCoGa5, the characteristic spin-fluctuation energy scale of PuCoIn5 is three to four times smaller than that of PuCoGa5...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of physics. Condensed matter 2012-02, Vol.24 (5), p.052206-11
Main Authors: Bauer, E D, Altarawneh, M M, Tobash, P H, Gofryk, K, Ayala-Valenzuela, O E, Mitchell, J N, McDonald, R D, Mielke, C H, Ronning, F, Griveau, J-C, Colineau, E, Eloirdi, R, Caciuffo, R, Scott, B L, Janka, O, Kauzlarich, S M, Thompson, J D
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Condensed matter
Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties
Exact sciences and technology
Fluctuation
Heavy-fermion superconductors
Instability
Phase diagrams
Physical properties
Physics
Plutonium
Properties of type I and type II superconductors
Stems
Superconducting materials (excluding high-tc compounds)
Superconductivity
Transition temperature
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Summary:The physical properties of the first In analog of the PuMGa5 (M = Co, Rh) family of superconductors, PuCoIn5, are reported. With its unit cell volume being 28% larger than that of PuCoGa5, the characteristic spin-fluctuation energy scale of PuCoIn5 is three to four times smaller than that of PuCoGa5, which suggests that the Pu 5f electrons are in a more localized state relative to PuCoGa5. This raises the possibility that the high superconducting transition temperature Tc = 18.5 K of PuCoGa5 stems from the proximity to a valence instability, while the superconductivity at Tc = 2.5 K of PuCoIn5 is mediated by antiferromagnetic spin fluctuations associated with a quantum critical point.
ISSN:0953-8984
1361-648X
DOI:10.1088/0953-8984/24/5/052206