Field-induced quantum critical point and nodal superconductivity

in the heavy-fermion superconductor Ce2PdIn8

Shiyan Li

Fudan University, Shanghai, China


    The in-plane resistivity ρ and thermal conductivity κ of the heavy-fermion superconductor Ce2PdIn8 single crystals were measured down to 50 mK. A field-induced quantum critical point, occurring at the upper critical field Hc2, is demonstrated from the ρ(T) ～ T near Hc2 and ρ(T) ～ T2 when further increasing field. The large residual linear term κ0/T at zero field and the rapid increase of κ(H)/T at low field give evidence for nodal superconductivity in Ce2PdIn8. The jump of κ(H)/T near Hc2 suggests a first-order-like phase transition at low temperature. These results mimic the features of the famous CeCoIn5 superconductor, implying that Ce2PdIn8 may be another interesting compound to investigate for the interplay between magnetism and superconductivity.

click the picture to download