Paramagnetic Meissner effect in single crystal Yb(3)Rh(4)Sn(13)

TL;DR

This study reports the observation of the paramagnetic Meissner effect in single crystal Yb(3)Rh(4)Sn(13), revealing complex magnetic behavior during the superconducting transition and the influence of surface superconductivity.

Contribution

First detailed investigation of PME in Yb(3)Rh(4)Sn(13) single crystals, highlighting the role of surface superconductivity and flux compression effects.

Findings

PME observed at 7.6 K during cooling.

Magnetization shows a minimum at 7.85 K.

Flux compression causes rapid increase in magnetization.

Abstract

Paramagnetic Meissner effect was observed in single crystal Yb(3)Rh(4)Sn(13). While field cooling the sample, at the onset of the superconducting transition at 7.92 K, the DC magnetization first goes through a minimum at 7.85 K, followed by the peak of the PME signal at 7.6 K and then crosses over to the diamagnetic state. The magnetization vs field curves are reversible above the minimum and imbibe a pinning characteristic below 7.85 K. The minimum can be attributed to the opposing contribution to the dc magnetization signal from surface superconductivity. The subsequent flux compression while cooling the sample below 7.85 K shows the rapid increase in the dc magnetization signal. PME signal is actually the diamagnetism opposing the flux compression.