Possible nodeless superconductivity in the noncentrosymmetric superconductor Mg_(12-delta)Ir_19B_16

TL;DR

This study investigates the superconducting properties of Mg_(12-delta)Ir_19B_16, revealing evidence for nodeless, isotropic s-wave pairing and moderate electron-phonon coupling in this noncentrosymmetric superconductor.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed thermodynamic and electromagnetic characterization indicating nodeless superconductivity in Mg_(12-delta)Ir_19B_16, with evidence supporting electron-phonon coupling as the pairing mechanism.

Findings

Specific heat data consistent with isotropic s-wave gap

Electron-phonon coupling strength estimated at 0.66

Superconductivity characterized as moderate coupling

Abstract

We measured the resistivity, diamagnetization, and low-temperature specific heat of the newly discovered noncentrosymmetric superconductor Mg_(12-delta)Ir_19B_16. The temperature dependence of specific heat is consistent with the model of an isotropic s-wave gap with value Delta_0 = 0.94 meV for the sample Tc = 5.7 K, and the ratio Delta_0/k_BTc = 1.91 indicates a slightly moderate coupling for the superconductivity. The correlations among the normal state Sommerfeld constant gamma_n, the slope -dHc2(T)/dT near Tc, and the condensation energy Ec are all consistent with the slightly moderate coupling picture. Based on the data of phonon contribution, Tc and the McMillan formula, we obtained an electron-phonon coupling strength lambda_(e-ph) = 0.66, which suggests that the superconductivity here is induced by the electron-phonon coupling.