Superconductivity and Rattling under High Pressure in the beta-Pyrochlore Oxide RbOs2O6

TL;DR

This study explores how high pressure influences superconductivity and ion rattling in beta-RbOs2O6, revealing phase transitions and changes in electron-rattler interactions that affect its superconducting properties.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the pressure-induced phase transitions and their impact on superconductivity and rattling behavior in beta-RbOs2O6.

Findings

Superconducting Tc increases with pressure up to 3.5 GPa.

Tc remains constant between 3.5 and 4.8 GPa, then drops sharply at 4.9 GPa.

Two high-pressure phases are identified with distinct resistivity anomalies.

Abstract

Rattling-induced superconductivity in the beta-pyrochlore oxide RbOs2O6 is investigated under high pressures up to 6 GPa. Resistivity measurements in a high-quality single crystal show that the superconducting transition temperature Tc increases gradually from 6.3 K at ambient pressure to 8.8 K at 3.5 GPa, surprisingly remains almost constant at 8.8 \pm 0.1 K in a wide pressure range between 3.5 (Po) and 4.8 GPa, and suddenly drops to 6.3 K at Ps = 4.9 GPa, followed by a gradual decrease with further pressure increase. Two anomalies in the temperature dependence of the normal-state resistivity are observed at Po < P < Ps and P > Ps, revealing the presence of two high-pressure phases corresponding to the changes in Tc. The rattling of the Rb ion inside a cage made of Os and O atoms may be slightly and seriously modified in these high-pressure phases that probably have cages of reduced symmetry, respectively, so that electron-rattler interactions that govern the superconducting and transport properties of beta-RbOs2O6 are significantly affected.