Probing the topological surface states in superconducting Sn4Au single crystal: A magneto transport study

TL;DR

This study synthesizes and characterizes a single crystal of Sn4Au, revealing topological surface states and superconductivity, with magneto-transport measurements indicating weak antilocalization and topological features.

Contribution

First demonstration of topological surface states in superconducting Sn4Au single crystals using magneto-transport techniques.

Findings

Sn4Au exhibits superconductivity below 2.6K.

Presence of weak antilocalization indicates topological surface states.

Magneto-transport confirms topological nature of the superconductor.

Abstract

Materials exhibiting bulk superconductivity along with magnetoresistance (MR) in their normal state have emerged as suitable candidates for topological superconductivity. In this article, we report a flux free method to synthesize single crystal of topological superconductor candidate Sn4Au. The phase purity and single crystalline nature are confirmed through various characterizations viz. X-Ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), selected Area electron diffraction (SAED), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Chemical states of the constituent element viz. Sn and Au are analyzed through X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Superconductivity in synthesized Sn4Au single crystal is evident form R-T plot and critical field (Hc) is determined through R-H plot at 2K i.e., just below critical temperature Tc. A positive magnetoresistance (MR) is observed in R-H measurements at different temperatures above Tc, viz. at 3K, 5K, 10K and 20K. Further, the magnetoconductivity (MC) is analyzed by using Hikami-Larkin-Nagaoka (HLN) formalism, which signifies the presence of weak antilocalization (WAL) effect in Sn4Au. Angle dependent magneto-transport measurement has been performed to detect the origin of the observed WAL effect in Sn4Au single crystal. Normalized MC vs HcosTheta plot shows presence of topological surface states (TSS) in the studied system. It is evident that Sn4Au is a 2.6K topological superconductor.