Detection of Time-Reversal Symmetry Breaking in the Noncentrosymmetric Superconductor Re\(_6\)Zr Using Muon-Spin Spectroscopy

Singh, R.P., Hillier, A.D., Mazidian, B., Quintanilla, J., Annett, J.F., Paul, D. McK., Balakrishnan, G., Lees, M.R. (2014) Detection of Time-Reversal Symmetry Breaking in the Noncentrosymmetric Superconductor Re\(_6\)Zr Using Muon-Spin Spectroscopy. Physical Review Letters, 112 (10). ISSN 0031-9007. E-ISSN 1079-7114. (doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.112.107002) (KAR id:37803)

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.112.107002

Abstract

We have investigated the superconducting state of the non-centrosymmetric compound Re\(_6\)Zr using magnetization, heat capacity, and muon-spin relaxation/rotation (\(\mu\)SR) measurements. Re\(_6\)Zr has a superconducting transition temperature, T\(_c\) = 6.75±0.05 K. Transverse-field \(\mu\)SR experiments, used to probe the superfluid density, suggest an \(s\)-wave character for the superconducting gap. However, zero and longitudinal-field \(\mu\)SR data reveal the presence of spontaneous static magnetic fields below \(T\)\(_c\) indicating that time-reversal symmetry is broken in the superconducting state and an unconventional pairing mechanism. An analysis of the pairing symmetries identifies the ground states compatible with time-reversal symmetry breaking.

Item Type:	Article
DOI/Identification number:	10.1103/PhysRevLett.112.107002
Uncontrolled keywords:	Physics of Quantum Materials, superconductivity, noncentrosymmetric, group theory, symmetry analysis, unconventional pairing, specific heat, muon, muon spin rotation, muon spin relaxation, time-reversal symmetry, triplet pairing
Subjects:	Q Science > QC Physics
Divisions:	Divisions > Division of Natural Sciences > Physics and Astronomy
Depositing User:	Jorge Quintanilla Tizon
Date Deposited:	15 Jan 2014 10:40 UTC
Last Modified:	09 Dec 2022 07:59 UTC
Resource URI:	https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/37803 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Quintanilla, J..

Creator's ORCID:	https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8572-730X
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