Superconductivity at 5K in NdO0.5F0.5BiS2

TL;DR

This paper reports the discovery of superconductivity at 5K in NdO0.5F0.5BiS2, characterized by structural analysis and various measurements confirming bulk superconductivity and its magnetic properties.

Contribution

First demonstration of superconductivity at 5K in NdO0.5F0.5BiS2 with detailed structural and magnetic characterization.

Findings

Superconductivity observed at 5K in NdO0.5F0.5BiS2.

Bulk superconductivity confirmed by transport and magnetic measurements.

Upper critical field estimated above 23kOe.

Abstract

We report appearance of superconductivity at 5K in NdO0.5F0.5BiS2 and supplement the discovery [1] of the same in layered sulfide based ZrCuSiAs type compounds. The bulk polycrystalline compound is synthesized by conventional solid state route via vacuum encapsulation technique. Detailed structural analysis showed that the studied compound is crystallized in tetragonal P4/nmm space group with lattice parameters a = 3.9911(3) {\AA}, c = 13.3830(2) {\AA}. Bulk superconductivity is established in NdO0.5F0.5BiS2 at 5K by both transport and magnetic measurements. Electrical transport measurements showed superconducting Tc onset at 5.2K and Tc ({\rho}=0) at 4.7K. Under applied magnetic field both Tc onset and Tc ({\rho} =0) decrease to lower temperatures and an upper critical field [Hc2(0)] of above 23kOe is estimated. Both AC and DC magnetic susceptibility measurements showed bulk superconductivity below 5K. Isothermal magnetization (MH) exhibited typical type II behavior with lower critical field (Hc1) of around 15Oe. Isothermal magnetization (MH) exhibited typical type-II behavior with lower critical field (Hc1) of around 15Oe. Specific heat [Cp(T)] is investigated in the temperature range of 1.9-50K in zero external magnetic field. A Schottky-type anomaly is observed at low temperature below 7K. This low temperature Schottky can be attributed to the change in the entropy of the system.