1. Fulde-Ferrell-Larkin-Ovchinnikov Superconducting State in CeCoIn5: New Evidence from Pressure Studies
- Author
-
Michael Nicklas, C. F. Miclea, J. D. Thompson, G. Sparn, J. L. Sarrao, and Frank Steglich
- Subjects
Condensed Matter::Quantum Gases ,Superconductivity ,Materials science ,Thermal conductivity ,Condensed matter physics ,Condensed Matter::Superconductivity ,Phase (matter) ,Quantum critical point ,Antiferromagnetism ,Anomaly (physics) ,Critical field ,Magnetic field - Abstract
CeCoIn5 exhibits the highest superconducting transition temperature (Tc = 2.3 K) among the Ce‐based heavy‐fermion compounds. Power‐law dependencies in specific heat (C), thermal conductivity (κ), and nuclear spin‐lattice relaxation rate (1/T1) for T ≪ Tc point to an unconventional superconducting state. Within the superconducting state specific‐heat shows an anomaly in the vicinity of the upper critical field Hc2 = 11.6 T for magnetic field parallel to the c‐axis. This phase‐transition is discussed as possible realization of a Fulde‐Ferrell‐Larkin‐Ovchinnikov (FFLO) phase. On the other hand, CeCoIn5 is located close to an antiferromagnetic (AFM) quantum critical point (QCP) at ambient pressure and underlying magnetic fluctuations may be responsible for the specific‐heat feature. We present first results of a specific‐heat study under pressure and in high magnetic fields to clarify the origin of this phase.
- Published
- 2006