Abstract
In order to identify the gap structure of CeIrIn, we measured field-angle-resolved specific heat by conically rotating the magnetic field around the axis at low temperatures down to 80 mK. We revealed that exhibits a fourfold angular oscillation, whose amplitude decreases monotonically by tilting out of the plane. Detailed microscopic calculations based on the quasiclassical Eilenberger equation confirm that the observed features are uniquely explained by assuming the -wave gap. These results strongly indicate that CeIrIn is a -wave superconductor and suggest the universal pairing mechanism in CeIn (, Rh, and Ir).
- Received 21 November 2011
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.85.060505
©2012 American Physical Society
Synopsis
Universal Pairing Symmetry
Published 23 February 2012
Specific heat measurements reveal a universal symmetry for the superconducting gap in a family of heavy fermion materials.
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