Fermi Surface Nesting with Heavy Quasiparticles in the Locally Noncentrosymmetric Superconductor CeRh2As2

The locally noncentrosymmetric heavy fermion superconductor CeRh2As2 has attracted considerable interests due to its rich superconducting phases,accompanied by possible quadrupole density wave and pronounced antiferromagnetic excitations.To understand the underlying physics,here we report measurements from highresolution angle-resolved photoemission.Our results reveal fine splittings of the conduction bands related to the locally noncentrosymmetric structure,as well as a quasi-two-dimensional Fermi surface(FS)with strong 4𝑓contributions.The FS shows signs of nesting with an in-plane vector q1=(π/α,π/α),which is facilitated by the heavy bands nearˉ𝑋arising from the characteristic conduction-X hybridization.The FS nesting provides a natural explanation for the observed antiferromagnetic spin fluctuations at(π/α,π/α),which might be the driving force for its unconventional superconductivity.Our experimental results can be reasonably explained by density functional theory plus dynamical mean field theory calculations,which can capture the strong correlation effects.Our study not only provides spectroscopic signature of the key factors underlying the field-induced superconducting transition,but also uncovers the critical role of FS nesting and lattice Kondo effect in the underlying magnetic fluctuations.

In-plane uniaxial-strain tuning of superconductivity and charge-density wave in CsV_(3)Sb_(5)

The kagome superconductor CsV_(3)Sb_(5) with exotic electronic properties has attracted substantial research interest,and the interplay between the superconductivity and the charge-density wave is crucial for understanding its unusual electronic ground state.In this work,we performed resistivity and AC magnetic susceptibility measurements on CsV_(3)Sb_(5) single crystals uniaxially-strained along[100]and[110]directions.We find that the uniaxial-strain tuning effect of T_(c)(dT_(c)/dε)and T_(CDW)(dT_(CDW)/dε)are almost identical along these distinct high-symmetry directions.These findings suggest the in-plane uniaxial-strain-tuning of T_(c) and T_(CDW)in CsV_(3)Sb_(5) are dominated by associated c-axis strain,whereas the response to purely in-plane strains is likely small.

Ultralow-temperature heat transport study of noncentrosymmetric superconductor CaPtAs

The noncentrosymmetric superconductor CaPtAs with time-reversal symmetry breaking in its superconducting state was previously proposed to host nodal superconductivity.Here,by employing ultralow-temperature thermal conductivity measurement on CaPtAs single crystal,we study its superconducting gap structure.A negligible residual linear term of thermal conductivity(κ_(0)/T)in zero magnetic field and the field dependence ofκ_(0)/T indicate that CaPtAs has multiple superconducting gaps with a dominant s-wave component.This is consistent with recent nuclear quadrupole resonance measurements on CaPtAs.Our work puts a strong constraint on the theories to describe the superconducting pairing symmetry of CaPtAs.

Evolution of superconductivity and charge order in pressurized RbV_(3)Sb_(5)

The kagome metals AV_(3)Sb_(5)(A=K,Rb,Cs)under ambient pressure exhibit an unusual charge order,from which superconductivity emerges.In this work,by applying hydrostatic pressure using a liquid pressure medium and carrying out electrical resistance measurements for RbV_(3)Sb_(5),we find that the charge order becomes suppressed under a modest pressure pc(1.4 GPa<pc<1.6 GPa),while the superconducting transition temperature Tc is maximized.Tc is then gradually weakened with further increase of pressure and reaches a minimum around 14.3 GPa,before exhibiting another{maximum}around 22.8 GPa,signifying the presence of a second superconducting dome.Distinct normal state resistance anomalies are found to be associated with the second superconducting dome,similar to KV_(3)Sb_(5).Our findings point to qualitatively similar temperature-pressure phase diagrams in KV_(3)Sb_(5) and RbV_(3)Sb_(5),{and suggest a close link}between the second superconducting dome and the high-pressure resistance anomalies.

Superconducting gap evolution of kagome metal CsV3Sb5 under pressure

Kagome superconductors AV3Sb5(A=Cs,V,Sb) have served as an ideal platform to unveil the intriguing competitions between charge-density-wave(CDW),superconductivity and possible nontrivial topological states.We report soft point-contact spectroscopy(SPCS) studies on CsV3Sb5under pressure up to 2.5 GPa.Its superconducting transition temperature Tcand gaps for SPCS at pressure P=0.1 GPa suggest the absence of the adverse local strain effect as observed in point-contacts at ambient pressure,while the SPCS-determined Tcunder hydrostatic pressure deviates from the reported double dome feature below 2.5 GPa.Three distinct gap values in CsV3Sb5are proposed to exist through the whole pressure range with 2Δ1/kBTc≤1,2Δ2/kBTc~2.3-3.0 and 2Δ3/kBTc>3.5.The two smaller gaps for 2Δ1/kBTc≤1 and 2Δ2/kBTc~2.3-3.0 are robust under pressure,while there is no trace of the largest gap 2Δ3/kBTc>3.5 for SPCS in the c direction with P≤P1=0.7 GPa and P≥ P2=2.0 GPa and it becomes observable in the pressure range of(P1,P2),suggesting a complex relation between CDW and superconductivity between(P1,P2).

Nodeless superconductivity in the kagome metal CsV_(3)Sb_(5)

The recently discovered kagome metal series AV3Sb5(A=K, Rb, Cs) exhibits topologically nontrivial band structures, chiral charge order and superconductivity, presenting a unique platform for realizing exotic electronic states. The nature of the superconducting state and the corresponding pairing symmetry are key questions that demand experimental clarification. Here, using a technique based on the tunneling diode oscillator, the magnetic penetration depth ?λ(T) of CsV3Sb5 was measured down to 0.07 K. A clear exponential behavior in ?λ(T) with marked deviations from a T or T2 temperature dependence was observed at low temperatures, indicating an absence of nodal quasiparticles. Temperature dependence of the superfiuid density and electronic specific heat can be described by two-gap s-wave superconductivity, consistent with the presence of multiple Fermi surfaces in CsV3Sb5. These results evidence nodeless superconductivity in CsV3Sb5 under ambient pressure, and constrain the allowed pairing symmetry.

Localized 4f-electrons in the quantum critical heavy fermion ferromagnet CeRh_(6)Ge_(4)

Ferromagnetic quantum critical points were predicted to be prohibited in clean itinerant ferromagnetic systems,yet such a phenomenon was recently revealed in CeRh_(6)Ge_(4),where the Curie temperature can be continuously suppressed to zero under a moderate hydrostatic pressure.Here we report the observation of quantum oscillations in CeRh_(6)Ge_(4)from measurements using the cantilever and tunnel-diode oscillator methods in fields up to 45 T,clearly demonstrating that the ferromagnetic quantum criticality occurs in a clean system.In order to map the Fermi surface of CeRh_(6)Ge_(4),we performed angle-dependent measurements of quantum oscillations at ambient pressure,and compared the results to density functional theory calculations.The results are consistent with the Ce 4f electrons remaining localized and not contributing to the Fermi surface,suggesting that localized ferromagnetism is a key factor for the occurrence of a ferromagnetic quantum critical point in CeRh_(6)Ge_(4).

Evidence for nematic superconductivity of topological surface states in PbTaSe2

Spontaneous symmetry breaking has been a paradigm to describe the phase transitions in condensed matter physics.In addition to the continuous electromagnetic gauge symmetry,an unconventional superconductor can break discrete symmetries simultaneously,such as time reversal and lattice rotational symmetry.In this work we report a characteristic in-plane 2-fold behaviour of the resistive upper critical field and point-contact spectra on the superconducting semimetal PbTaSe2 with topological nodal-rings,despite its hexagonal lattice symmetry(or D3 h in bulk while C3 v on surface,to be precise).The 2-fold behaviour persists up to its surface upper critical field Hc2R even though bulk superconductivity has been suppressed at its bulk upper critical field Hc2HC<<Hc2R,signaling its probable surface-only electronic nematicity.In addition,we do not observe any lattice rotational symmetry breaking signal from field-angle-dependent specific heat within the resolution.It is worth noting that such surface-only electronic nematicity is in sharp contrast to the observation in the topological superconductor candidate,CuxBi2Se3,where the nematicity occurs in various bulk measurements.In combination with theory,superconducting nematicity is likely to emerge from the topological surface states of PbTaSe2,rather than the proximity effect.The issue of time reversal symmetry breaking is also addressed.Thus,our results on PbTaSe2 shed new light on possible routes to realize nematic superconductivity with nontrivial topology.

CaPtAs: A new noncentrosymmetric superconductor

We report the discovery of a new noncentrosymmetric superconductor CaPtAs.It crystallizes in a tetragonal structure(space group I41md,No.109),featuring three dimensional honeycomb networks of Pt-As and a much elongated c-axis(a=b=4.18?,and c=43.70?).The superconductivity of CaPtAs with Tc=1.47 K was characterized by means of electrical resistivity,specific heat,and ac magnetic susceptibility.The electronic specific heat Ce(T)/T shows evidence for a deviation from the behavior of a conventional BCS superconductor,and can be reasonably fitted by a p-wave model.The upper critical fieldμ0Hc2 of CaPtAs exhibits a moderate anisotropy,with an in-plane value of around 204 mT and an out-of-plane value of 148 mT.Density functional theory calculations indicate that the Pt-5 d and As-4 p orbitals mainly contribute to the density of states near the Fermi level,showing that the Pt-As honeycomb networks may significantly influence the superconducting properties.

Preface to the topical issue

Transition metals contain d-orbital electrons,and compounds based on transition metals often exhibit a duality of magnetism and superconductivity.To date,a large number of interesting physics phenomena exhibited by transition-metal compounds have been discovered;for example,high-temperature superconductivity has been found to emerge in compounds such as copper-oxide (cuprate)compounds,iron pnictides/chalcogenides.Understanding the relationship between superconductivity and magnetism is essential for realizing these unconventional superconductors.

Structural and magnetic properties of CeZnAl3 single crystals

We have synthesized single crystals of CeZnAl3, which is a new member of family of Ce-based intermetallics CeTX3 （T=transition metal, X=Si, Ge, A1）, crystallizing in the non-centrosymmetric tetragonal BaNiSns-type structure. Magnetization, specific heat and resistivity measurements all show that CeZnAls orders magnetically below around 4.4 K. Furthermore, magnetization measurements exhibit a hysteresis loop at low temperatures and fields, indicating the presence of a ferromagnetic component in the magnetic state. This points to a different nature of the magnetism in CeZnAl3 compared to the other isostructural CeTAl3 compounds. Resistivity measurements under pressures up to 1.8 GPa show a moderate suppression of the ordering temperature with pressure, suggesting that measurements to higher pressures are required to look for quantum critical behavior.