Weakly anisotropic superconductivity of Pr4Ni3O10 single crystals

TL;DR

This study demonstrates anisotropic superconductivity in Pr4Ni3O10 single crystals, revealing a weak anisotropy parameter that decreases with temperature and supports a two-band model involving interlayer coherence, advancing understanding of high-temperature superconductivity.

Contribution

It provides the first evidence of anisotropic superconductivity in bulk Ruddlesden-Popper nickelates and links dimensionality to superconducting mechanisms.

Findings

Anisotropy parameter ~1.6 decreasing with temperature

Supports a two-band superconductivity model

Establishes 3D superconductivity in Pr4Ni3O10

Abstract

Since the discovery of high-temperature superconductivity, studying the upper critical field and its anisotropy has been crucial for understanding superconducting mechanism and guiding applications. Here we perform in situ high-pressure angular-dependent electrical transport measurements on Pr4Ni3O10 single crystals using a custom diamond anvil cell (DAC) rotator and confirming its anisotropic superconductivity. The anisotropy parameter is approximately 1.6, decreasing with increasing temperature and approaches 1 near Tc. Comparing effective mass anisotropy and inter-block distance in cuprates and iron-based superconductors (FeSCs) reveals that Pr4Ni3O10 single crystals superconductors are consistent with a two-band model, where intralayer quantum confinement within the unit cell induces interlayer coherence, thereby leading to three-dimensional (3D) superconductivity. This study not only establishes the existence of anisotropic superconductivity in bulk Ruddlesden-Popper nickelates, but also provide critical insight into the role of dimensionality in high-temperature superconductivity.