SAIP2021

Multiband superconductivity in the doped Skutterudite compound Pr0.5La0.5Pt4Ge12.

27 Jul 2021, 12:30

15m

Potchefstroom Campus (North-West University)

Oral Presentation Track A - Physics of Condensed Matter and Materials Physics of Condensed Matter and Materials

Speaker

Mr Masego Katametsi (University of Johannesburg)

Description

A suite of electronic and magnetic property studies were conducted on a Pr0.5La0.5Pt4Ge12 (Skutterudite) polycrystalline sample with an objective of investigating its superconducting state. The two parent compounds PrPt4Ge12 (Tc= 8K) and LaPt4Ge12 (Tc= 7.8K) both form in the filled-cage cubic Skutterudite structure and both have a superconducting ground state. However, their superconducting order parameters differ: PrPt4Ge12 has been characterized in the literature as an unconventional, multi-band superconductor and furthermore with evidence for time reversal symmetry breaking in its superconducting state. The isostructural compound LaPt4Ge12 on the other hand is a conventional superconductor. In this work we report the results of magnetization, magnetic susceptibility and heat capacity as functions of temperature and applied magnetic field in order to study the entanglement of the two types of superconductivity, and in an attempt to search for evidence of time-reversal symmetry breaking that may result from an internal magnetic field generated in the superconducting state.

Level for award;(Hons, MSc, PhD, N/A)?

MSc

Apply to be considered for a student ; award (Yes / No)?

Yes