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Evidence for Nodal Superconductivity in LaFePO from Scanning SQUID Susceptometry (open access)

Evidence for Nodal Superconductivity in LaFePO from Scanning SQUID Susceptometry

We measure changes in the penetration depth {lambda} of the T{sub c} {approx} 6 K superconductor LaFePO. In the process scanning SQUID susceptometry is demonstrated as a technique for accurately measuring local temperature-dependent changes in {lambda}, making it ideal for studying early or difficult-to-grow materials. {lambda} of LaFePO is found to vary linearly with temperature from 0.36 to {approx} 2 K, with a slope of 143 {+-} 15 {angstrom}/K, suggesting line nodes in the superconducting order parameter. The linear dependence up to {approx} T{sub c}/3 is similar to the cuprate superconductors, indicating well-developed nodes.
Date: April 13, 2009
Creator: Hicks, Clifford W.; Lippman, Thomas M.; /Stanford U., Geballe Lab. /SLAC; Huber, Martin E.; /Colorado U., Denver; Analytis, James G. et al.
System: The UNT Digital Library