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Slow order-parameter fluctuations in superconducting Pb and Ag/Nb films observed using β-detected nuclear magnetic resonance

E. Morenzoni, H. Saadaoui, D. Wang, M. Horisberger, E. C. Kirk, W. A. MacFarlane, G. D. Morris, K. H. Chow, M. D. Hossain, C. P. Levy, T. J. Parolin, M. R. Pearson, Q. Song, and R. F. Kiefl
Phys. Rev. B 85, 220501(R) – Published 4 June 2012

Abstract

We report β-NMR investigations of polarized 8Li implanted in thin Pb and Ag/Nb films. At the critical superconducting temperature, we observe a singular peak in the spin relaxation rate in small longitudinal magnetic fields, which is attributed to unexpected slow fluctuations in the superconducting order parameter. The peak is several orders of magnitude larger than the prediction based on the enhancement of the dynamic electron spin susceptibility by superconducting fluctuations. The observed peak in 1T1 is rapidly suppressed in a small magnetic field, indicating that it is due to remarkably slow diamagnetic fluctuations which are undetectable with conventional NMR.

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  • Received 13 September 2011

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.85.220501

©2012 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

E. Morenzoni1,*, H. Saadaoui1, D. Wang2, M. Horisberger3, E. C. Kirk4, W. A. MacFarlane5, G. D. Morris6, K. H. Chow7, M. D. Hossain2, C. P. Levy2, T. J. Parolin5, M. R. Pearson2, Q. Song2, and R. F. Kiefl2,6

  • 1Paul Scherrer Institut, Laboratory for Muon Spin Spectroscopy, CH-5232 Villigen PSI, Switzerland
  • 2Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 1Z1
  • 3Paul Scherrer Institut, Laboratory for Developments and Methods, CH-5232 Villigen PSI, Switzerland
  • 4Paul Scherrer Institut, Labor für Mikro- und Nanotechnologie, CH-5232 Villigen PSI, Switzerland
  • 5Chemistry Department, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 1Z1
  • 6TRIUMF, 4004 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 2A3
  • 7Department of Physics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2G7

  • *elvezio.morenzoni@psi.ch

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Vol. 85, Iss. 22 — 1 June 2012

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