Field-tuned quantum critical point inCeCoIn5near the superconducting upper critical field

2004/09/29 by F. Ronning, C. Capan, A. Bianchi +6 · 1 citation
Materials Science · Mathematics · Physics and Astronomy · #Algorithm #Computer science #Field (mathematics) #Geometry #Iron-based superconductors research #Magnetic Properties of Alloys #Mathematics #Point (geometry) #Pure mathematics #Rare-earth and actinide compounds #cond-mat.str-el #cond-mat.supr-con

paper · pdf · doi:10.1103/physrevb.71.104528

7 pages, 4 figures, Submitted to PRB

arxiv created 2004/09/29 · openalex publication_date 2005/03/31 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2016/06/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05

Abstract

We report a systematic study of high-magnetic-field specific heat and resistivity in single crystals of CeCoIn₅ for the field oriented in the basal plane (H\ensuremath∥ab)of this tetragonal heavy fermion superconductor. We observe a divergent electronic specific heat as well as an enhanced A coefficient of the T² law in resistivity at the lowest temperatures, as the field approaches the upper critical field of the superconducting transition. Together with the results for field along the tetragonal axis (H\ensuremath∥c), the emergent picture is that of a magnetic-field-tuned quantum critical point which exists in the vicinity of the superconducting H_c2⁰ despite a variation of a factor of 2.4 in H_c2⁰ for different field orientations. This suggests that an underlying physical reason exists for the superconducting H_c2⁰ to coincide with the quantum critical field. Moreover, we show that the recovery of a Fermi-liquid ground state with increasing magnetic field is more gradual, meaning that the fluctuations responsible for the observed quantum critical phenomena are more robust with respect to magnetic field, when the magnetic field is applied in plane. Together with the close proximity of the quantum critical point and H_c2⁰ in CeCoIn₅ for both field orientations, the anisotropy in the recovery of the Fermi-liquid state might constitute an important piece of information in identifying the nature of the fluctuations that become critical.

Citations

• Heavy-fermion superconductivity in CeCoIn5at 2.3 K
• Possible Fulde-Ferrell-Larkin-Ovchinnikov Superconducting State inCeCoIn5
• The break-up of heavy electrons at a quantum critical point
• Superconducting Quantum Critical Point
• Magnetotransport in nearly antiferromagnetic metals
• Superconductivity inCeCoIn5−xSnx: Veil over an Ordered State or Novel Quantum Critical Point?
• Field-Induced Quantum Critical Point inCeCoIn5

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