Abstract
We present muon spin rotation and relaxation (μSR) measurements as well as demagnetizing-field-corrected magnetization measurements on polycrystalline samples of the noncentrosymmetric superconductor BeAu. From μSR measurements in a transverse field, we determine that BeAu is a type-I superconductor with Hc= 258 Oe, amending the previous understanding of the compound as a type-II superconductor. To account for demagnetizing effects in magnetization measurements, we produce an ellipsoidal sample, for which a demagnetization factor can be calculated. After correcting for demagnetizing effects, our magnetization results are in agreement with our μSR measurements. Using both types of measurements, we construct a phase diagram from T=30 mK to Tc≈3.25 K. We then study the effect of hydrostatic pressure and find that 450 MPa decreases Tc by 35 mK, comparable to the change seen in the type-I elemental superconductors Sn, In, and Ta. This suggests BeAu is far from a quantum critical point accessible by the application of pressure.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 134510 |
| Journal | Physical Review B |
| Volume | 99 |
| Issue number | 13 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Apr 11 2019 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Funding
We thank G. D. Morris, B. S. Hitti, and D. J. Arseneau for their assistance with the μ SR measurements. We thank Paul Dube for their assistance with the magnetometry measurements at McMaster. Work at McMaster University was supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and the Canadian Foundation for Innovation. E.S. greatly appreciates the support provided by the Fulbright Canada Research Chair Award.