Emergence of quantum Griffiths singularity in disordered TiN thin films.

The association of quantum Griffiths singularity (QGS) to the magnetic-field-induced superconductor-metal transition predicts the unconventional diverging behaviour of dynamical critical exponent in low disorder crystalline two-dimensional superconductors. But whether this state exists in the superconducting systems exhibiting superconductor-insulator transition remains elusive. Here, we report the emergence of quantum Griffiths singularity in ultrathin disordered TiN thin films with more than two orders of magnitude variation in their normal state resistance. For both superconductor-metal transition and superconductor-insulator transition types, a diverging critical exponent is observed while approaching the quantum phase transition. Further, the magnetoresistance isotherms obey a direct activated scaling governed by an infinite-randomness fixed critical point. Finally, this work establishes the robustness of the QGS phenomenon towards a wide range of temperature and also towards a wide range of disorder strength as correlated with the normal state resistance.The quantum Griffiths singularity (QGS) emerges due to the formation of disorder-mediated superconducting puddles, embedded in metallic or insulating states background. Here, the authors demonstrate the existence of QGS in disordered TiN thin films by divergence of dynamical critical exponent, while approaching the quantum phase transition at T → 0. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]