Depth-dependent study of time-reversal symmetry-breaking in the kagome superconductor $A$V$_{3}$Sb$_{5}$

TL;DR

This study investigates how time-reversal symmetry-breaking varies with depth in kagome superconductors, revealing surface-enhanced effects and their relation to charge order, using muon spin rotation techniques.

Contribution

It provides the first depth-resolved analysis of TRS breaking in $A$V$_{3}$Sb$_{5}$ superconductors, highlighting surface effects and their connection to charge order.

Findings

TRS breaking is enhanced near the surface of RbV$_{3}$Sb$_{5}$.

TRS breaking occurs before the onset of charge order.

No significant TRS breaking observed in Cs(V$_{0.86}$Ta$_{0.14}$)$_{3}$Sb$_{5}$.

Abstract

The breaking of time-reversal symmetry (TRS) in the normal state of kagome superconductors $A$V$_{3}$Sb$_{5}$ stands out as a significant feature. Yet the extent to which this effect can be tuned remains uncertain, a crucial aspect to grasp in light of the varying details of TRS breaking observed through different techniques. Here, we employ the unique low-energy muon spin rotation technique combined with local field numerical analysis to study the TRS breaking response as a function of depth from the surface in single crystals of RbV$_{3}$Sb$_{5}$ with charge order and Cs(V$_{0.86}$Ta$_{0.14}$)$_{3}$Sb$_{5}$ without charge order. In the bulk (i.e., > 33 nm from the surface) of RbV$_{3}$Sb$_{5}$, we have detected a notable increase in the internal magnetic field width experienced by the muon ensemble. This increase occurs only within the charge ordered state. Intriguingly, the muon spin relaxation rate is significantly enhanced near the surface (i.e., < 33 nm from the surface) of RbV$_{3}$Sb$_{5}$, and this effect commences at temperatures significantly higher than the onset of charge order. Conversely, in Cs(V$_{0.86}$Ta$_{0.14}$)$_{3}$Sb$_{5}$, we do not observe a similar enhancement in the internal field width, neither in the bulk nor near the surface. These observations indicate a strong connection between charge order and TRS breaking on one hand, and on the other hand, suggest that TRS breaking can occur prior to long-range charge order. This research offers compelling evidence for depth-dependent magnetism in $A$V$_{3}$Sb$_{5}$ superconductors in the presence of charge order. Such findings are likely to elucidate the intricate microscopic mechanisms that underpin the TRS breaking phenomena in these materials.