Indications of a Field Dependent Vortex Core Size in CeCoIn$_5$

ORAL

Abstract

Using Small-Angle Neutron Scattering, we have imaged the flux- line lattice (FLL) in the {\em d}-wave, heavy fermion superconductor CeCoIn$_5$. At low fields, a hexagonal FLL is observed which undergoes a first order transition to a rhombic (distorted square) symmetry as the field is increased above 0.55 T. As the field is increased futher, the FLL approaches a square symmetry. Measurements of the FLL reflectivity yields a constant form factor independent of the applied magnetic field, in stark contrast to the exponential decrease usually observed. The field-independent form factor may indicate a field dependent vortex core size, $\xi$ $\propto$ $H^{-1/2}$, in qualitative agreement with recent theoretical predictions for ultra-clean, high-$\kappa$ superconductors [V.G. Kogan and N.V. Zhelezina, PRB {\bf 71}, 134505 (2005)].

Authors

  • L. DeBeer-Schmitt

  • M. R. Eskildsen

    • Department of Physics, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556 USA
  • C. D. Dewhurst

    • Institut Laue-Langevin, 6 Rue Jules Horowitz, F-38042 Grenoble, France
  • B. W. Hoogenboom

    • University of Basel, Klingelbergstasse 70, CH-4056 Basel, Switzerland
  • C. Petrovic

    • Department of Physics, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY 11973 USA