Defects and broken time-reversal symmetry in superconducting {\boldmath Pr(Os,Ru)$_{4}$Sb$_{12}$}

ORAL

Abstract

Muon spin relaxation studies of a spontaneous local field $H_\mu$, previously observed in the superconducting state of PrOs$_4$Sb$_{12}$ and attributed to broken time-reversal symmetry, have been extended to Pr(Os$_{1-x}$Ru$_x$)$_4$Sb$_{12}$ alloys. In flux-grown single crystals $H_\mu$ is strongly suppressed but remains observable for $x \le 0.2$. In powder samples prepared by solid state reaction, however, no field is observed for $x = 0.1$ or 0.2. Muon spin relaxation due to dynamic $^{141}$Pr nuclear spin fluctuations is also reduced in the powders. Both results can both be understood if the density of microscopic defects is smaller in the powders: defects increase muon spin relaxation by $^{141}$Pr spins, and supercurrents associated with defects are theoretically predicted to create spontaneous fields in TRS-breaking superconductors. Our results are strong experimental evidence for this prediction.

*Supported by NSF Grants 0422674 (Riverside), 0203524 (Los Angeles), 0335173 (San Diego), by DOE DE-FG02-04ER46105 (San Diego), and by MEXT Grant 15072206 (Tokyo).

Authors

  • D.E. MacLaughlin

  • Lei Shu

    • U. Calif., Riverside
  • A.D. Hillier

    • ISIS, Rutherford Appleton Lab.
  • O.O. Bernal

    • Calif. State U., Los Angeles
  • Y. Aoki

  • D. Kikuchi

  • H. Sato

  • Y. Tunashima

    • Tokyo Metro. U.
  • H. Sugawara

    • U. Tokushima
  • T.A. Sayles

  • T. Yanagisawa

  • W.M. Yuhasz

  • M.B. Maple

    • U. Calif., San Diego