Evidence for Time-Reversal Symmetry Breaking in the Noncentrosymmetric Superconductor LaNiC2

A. D. Hillier, J. Quintanilla, and R. Cywinski
Phys. Rev. Lett. 102, 117007 – Published 20 March 2009; Erratum Phys. Rev. Lett. 105, 229901 (2010)

Abstract

Muon spin relaxation experiments on the noncentrosymmetric intermetallic superconductor LaNiC2 are reported. We find that the onset of superconductivity coincides with the appearance of spontaneous magnetic fields, implying that in the superconducting state time-reversal symmetry is broken. An analysis of the possible pairing symmetries suggests only four triplet states compatible with this observation, all of them nonunitary. They include the intriguing possibility of triplet pairing with the full point group symmetry of the crystal, which is possible only in a noncentrosymmetric superconductor.

  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Received 21 October 2008

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.102.117007

©2009 American Physical Society

Erratum

Authors & Affiliations

A. D. Hillier1, J. Quintanilla1, and R. Cywinski2

  • 1ISIS facility, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Oxfordshire, OX11 0QX, United Kingdom
  • 2School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Queensgate, Huddersfield, HD1 3DH, United Kingdom

Article Text (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 102, Iss. 11 — 20 March 2009

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review Letters

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×