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High-pressure techniques open exploration of functional materials in broad research fields. An established diamond anvil cell with a boron-doped diamond heater and transport measurement terminals has performed the high-pressure synthesis of a cubic Sn$_{3}$S$_{4}$ superconductor. X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy reveal that the Sn$_{3}$S$_{4}$ phase is stable in the pressure range of P>5 GPa in a decompression process. Transport measurement terminals in the diamond anvil cell detect a metallic nature and superconductivity in the synthesized Sn$_{3}$S$_{4}$ with a maximum onset transition temperature of 13.3 K at 5.6 GPa. The observed pressure-T$_{c}$ relationship is consistent with that from the first-principles calculation. The observation of superconductivity in Sn$_{3}$S$_{4}$ opens further materials exploration under high temperature and pressure conditions.

We report resistance and elastoresistance measurements on (Ba$_{0.5}$K$_{0.5}$)Fe$_2$As$_2$, CaKFe$_4$As$_4$, and KCa$_2$Fe$_4$As$_4$F$_2$. The Fe-site symmetry is $D_{2d}$ in the first compound but $C_{2v}$ in the latter two, which lifts the degeneracy of the Fe $d_{xz}$ and $d_{yz}$ orbitals. The temperature dependence of the resistance and elastoresistance is similar between the three compounds. Especially, the [110] elastoresistance is enhanced with decreasing temperature irrespective of the Fe-site symmetry. This appears to be in conflict with recent Raman scattering studies on CaKFe$_4$As$_4$, which suggest the absence of nematic fluctuations. We consider possible ways of reconciliation and suggest that the present result is important in elucidating the origin of in-plane resistivity anisotropy in iron-based superconductors., Comment: 8 pages, 5 figures, 1 table

The lossless current-carrying capacity of a superconductor is limited by its critical current density (Jc). A key to enhance Jc towards real-life applications is engineering defect structures to optimize the pinning landscape. For iron-based superconductors (IBSs) considered as candidate materials for high-field applications, high Jc values have been achieved by various techniques to introduce artificial pinning centres. Here we report extraordinary vortex pinning properties in CaKFe4As4 (CaK1144) arising from the inherent defect structure. Scanning transmission electron microscopy revealed the existence of nanoscale intergrowths of the CaFe2As2 phase, which is unique to CaK1144 formed as a line compound. The Jc properties in CaK1144 are found to be distinct from other IBSs characterized by a significant anisotropy with respect to the magnetic field orientation as well as a remarkable pinning mechanism significantly enhanced with increasing temperature. We propose a comprehensive explanation of the Jc properties based on the unique intergrowths acting as pinning centres., Comment: 15 pages, 5 figures, and Supplementary Information. One literature on the calculation of anisotropic Jc [S. Pyon, et al. Phys. Rev. B 99, 104506 (2019)] was added to the reference list

Three independent components of critical current density, one for the H//c axis and the other two for the H//ab plane, have been studied in CaKFe4As4 single crystals. When the magnetic field is applied along the c axis, we observed fish-tail-like peaks in the M-H hysteresis loop, and the magnetization at higher temperatures exceeds that at lower temperatures at high fields. When the field is applied parallel to the ab plane, a dip structure is observed in the M-H hysteresis loop near the self-field. In addition, for the H//ab plane, we succeeded in separately evaluating the large and significantly anisotropic in-plane and out-of-plane Jc. Transmission electron microscopy revealed the presence of planar defects parallel to the ab plane in CaKFe4As4, which have not been observed in any other iron-based superconductors. We discuss the possible relationship between the anomalous Jc behavior and the planar defects., Comment: 19 pages, 8 figures + supplemental material 6 pages, 4 figures To be published in Phys. Rev. B

The first-order transition at $T_{\rm 0} = 270$ K for the platinum-based SrPt$_2$Sb$_2$ superconductor was investigated using X-ray diffraction and magnetic susceptibility measurements. When polycrystalline SrPt$_2$Sb$_2$ was cooled down through $T_{\rm 0}$, the structure was transformed from monoclinic to a modulated orthorhombic structure, and no magnetic order was formed, which illustrates the possibility of a charge density wave (CDW) transition at $T_{\rm 0}$. SrPt$_2$Sb$_2$ can thus be a new example to examine the interplay of CDW and superconductivity in addition to SrPt$_2$As$_2$, BaPt$_2$As$_2$ and LaPt$_2$Si$_2$. It is unique that the average structure of the low-temperature phase has higher symmetry than that of the high-temperature phase., Comment: 11 pages, 3 figures

The crystal structure, superconducting properties, and electronic structure of a novel superconducting 122-type antimonide, BaPt$_2$Sb$_2$, have been investigated by measurements of powder X-ray diffraction patterns, electrical resistivity, ac magnetic susceptibility, specific heat as well as ab-initio calculations. This material crystallizes in a new-type of monoclinic variant of the CaBe$_2$Ge$_2$-type structure, in which Pt$_2$Sb$_2$ layers consisting of PtSb$_4$ tetrahedra and Sb$_2$Pt$_2$ layers consisting of SbPt$_4$ tetrahedra are stacked alternatively and Ba atoms are located between the layers. Measurements of electrical resistivity, ac magnetic susceptibility and specific heat revealed that BaPt$_2$Sb$_2$ is a superconducting material with a $T_{\rm c}$ of 1.8 K. The electronic heat capacity coefficient $\gamma_{\rm n}$ and Debye temperature $\theta_{\rm D}$ were 8.6(2) mJ/mol K$^2$ and 146(4) K, where the figures in parentheses represent the standard deviation. The upper critical field $\mu_{\rm 0}H_{\rm c2}(0)$ and the Ginzburg-Landau coherent length $\xi(0)$ were determined to be 0.27 T and 35 nm. Calculations showed that it has two three-dimensional Fermi surfaces (FSs) and two two-dimensional FSs, leading to anisotropic transport properties. The d-states of the Pt atoms in the Pt2Sb2 layers mainly contribute to $N(E_{\rm F})$. A comparison between experimental and calculated results indicates that BaPt$_2$Sb$_2$ is a superconducting material with moderate coupling., Comment: 24 pages, 9 figures

Superconducting properties of the polycrystalline Zr2Ru3Si4 were investigated by the electrical resistivity, magnetization and specific heat. By these measurements, bulk superconductivity with transition temperature Tc = 5.5 K was confirmed. Moreover, Zr2Ru3Si4 was found to be a type-II and intermediate-coupling superconductor. Interestingly, the electronic specific heat shows a deviation from a one-gap s-wave model and Hc2(T) shows unusual positive curvature in the vicinity of Tc. The first principle's calculation shows the existence of plural anisotropic Fermi surfaces. These results suggest that Zr2Ru3Si4 is not an isotropic single-gap superconductor, but possibly a multi-gap or an anisotropic gap superconductor., Comment: 13 pages, 6 figures

We have completely determined the Fermi surface in KFe$_2$As$_2$ via de Haas-van Alphen (dHvA) measurements. Fundamental frequencies $\epsilon$, $\alpha$, $\zeta$, and $\beta$ are observed in KFe$_2$As$_2$. The first one is attributed to a hole cylinder near the X point of the Brillouin zone, while the others to hole cylinders at the $\Gamma$ point. We also observe magnetic breakdown frequencies between $\alpha$ and $\zeta$ and suggest a plausible explanation for them. The experimental frequencies show deviations from frequencies predicted by band structure calculations. Large effective masses up to 19 $m_e$ for $B \parallel c$ have been found, $m_e$ being the free electron mass. The carrier number and Sommerfeld coefficient of the specific heat are estimated to be 1.01 -- 1.03 holes per formula unit and 82 -- 94 mJmol$^{-1}$K$^{-2}$, respectively, which are consistent with the chemical stoichiometry and a direct measure of 93 mJmol$^{-1}$K$^{-2}$ [H. Fukazawa \textit{et al}., J. Phys. Soc. Jpn. \textbf{80SA}, SA118 (2011)]. The Sommerfeld coefficient is about 9 times enhanced over a band value, suggesting the importance of low-energy spin and/or orbital fluctuations, and places KFe$_2$As$_2$ among strongly correlated metals. We have also performed dHvA measurements on Ba$_{0.07}$K$_{0.93}$Fe$_2$As$_2$ and have observed the $\alpha$ and $\beta$ frequencies., Comment: 14 pages, 16 Figures, 3 Tables

In a recent Letter [J. K. Dong et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 104, 087005 (2010)], Dong \textit{et al}. have observed a $T^{1.5}$ dependence of resistivity $\rho$ in KFe$_2$As$_2$ at the upper critical field $B_{c2}$ = 5 T parallel to the c axis and have suggested the existence of a field-induced quantum critical point (QCP) at $B_{c2}$. In this comment, we argue that observation of a $T^{1.5}$ dependence of $\rho$ in a sample showing broad resistive transitions does not constitute evidence for a QCP and that recent dHvA results do not support the proposed QCP., Comment: 3 pages, 2 figures + 1 supplemental figure, to be published in PRL

We report on a band structure calculation and de Haas-van Alphen measurements of KFe$_2$As$_2$. Three cylindrical Fermi surfaces are found. Effective masses of electrons range from 6 to 18$m_e$, $m_e$ being the free electron mass. Remarkable discrepancies between the calculated and observed Fermi surface areas and the large mass enhancement ($\gtrsim 3$) highlight the importance of electronic correlations in determining the electronic structures of iron pnicitide superconductors., Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, after minor revision, accepted for publication in J. Phys. Soc. Jpn.

We report measurements of the de Haas-van Alphen (dHvA) oscillation and a band structure calculation for the pnictide superconductor BaNi$_2$P$_2$, which is isostructural to BaFe$_2$As$_2$, the mother compound of the iron-pnictide high-$T_c$ superconductor (Ba$_{1-x}$K$_x$)Fe$_2$As$_2$. Six dHvA-frequency branches with frequencies up to $\sim$8 kT were observed, and they are in excellent agreement with results of the band-structure calculation. The determined Fermi surface is large, enclosing about one electron and hole per formula unit, and three-dimensional. This is in contrast to the small two-dimensional Fermi surface expected for the iron-pnictide high-$T_c$ superconductors. The mass enhancement is about two., Comment: To appear in J. Phys. Soc. Jpn., Vol. 78, No. 3

ctical superconducting material for power-electric products such as superconducing tapes because of its high superconducting transition temperature (Tc) of 39 K and its high critical current density (Jc) under magnetic fields. Superconducting films of MgB2 have been, however, fabricated only on planar substrates with areas of several tens of a square centimeter at the largest so far due to the technical limitation of the conventional fabrication methods. In this report, we describe a technique for the fabrication of MgB2 films by means of electrolysis on molten compounds of Mg and B, that is, electroplating of MgB2. Superconducting films of MgB2 with a Tc of 36 K were successfully electroplated on both the planar and curved surfaces using simple installations. The electroplating of MgB2 is expected to open a new route in the field of superconductor engineering because of its ability to fabricate superconducting films on large surfaces of various shapes.

Ternary silicides MI(MII0.5, Si0.5)2 (MI=Sr and Ba, MII=Al and Ga) were prepared by Ar arc melting. Powder X-ray diffraction indicates that they have the AlB2-type structure, in which Si and MII atoms are arranged in honeycomb layers and MI atoms are intercalated between them. Electrical resistivity and dc magnetization measurements revealed that Sr(Al0.5, Si0.5)2 is superconductive, with a critical temperature for superconductivity (TC) of 4.2 K, while Ba(Al0.5, Si0.5)2 is not at temperatures ranging above 2.0 K. Sr(Ga0.5, Si0.5)2 and Ba(Ga0.5, Si0.5)2 are also superconductors, with TCs of 5.1 and 3.3 K, respectively., Comment: 5 pages, 3 tables, 4 figures