Thermodynamic evidence for a pressure-driven crossover from strong- to weak-coupling superconductivity in Pb

TL;DR

This study uses thermodynamic measurements under pressure to reveal a crossover from strong to weak coupling in superconducting lead, highlighting how pressure influences the superconducting gap and coupling strength.

Contribution

It provides the first thermodynamic evidence of a pressure-driven crossover from strong to weak-coupling superconductivity in lead, based on critical field measurements.

Findings

Pressure dependence of $B_c(0)$ closely follows the superconducting gap $(0)$

Coupling strength ratio $=(0)/k_B T_c$ becomes pressure independent at high pressures

Indicates a thermodynamic crossover from strong- to weak-coupling superconductivity in Pb

Abstract

The thermodynamic critical field $B_{\rm c}$ provides direct access to the superconducting condensation energy, yet its pressure dependence has been studied much less extensively than that of the transition temperature. Here, muon-spin-rotation/relaxation measurements of the thermodynamic critical field $B_{\rm c}$ of elemental Pb under hydrostatic pressure up to $\simeq2.3$ GPa are reported. From the magnetic-field distribution in the intermediate state, $B_{\rm c}(T)$ is determined and $B_{\rm c}(0)$ is extracted at different pressures. In combination with previously reported high-pressure data for $B_{\rm c}$ and $T_{\rm c}$, it is shown that the pressure dependence of $B_{\rm c}(0)$ follows that of the superconducting gap $\Delta(0)$ more closely than that of the transition temperature $T_{\rm c}$. At higher pressures, the logarithmic pressure derivatives of $B_{\rm c}(0)$ and $T_{\rm c}$ are found to converge, indicating that the coupling strengths ratio $\alpha=\Delta(0)/k_{\rm B}T_{\rm c}$ becomes nearly pressure independent. This behavior is interpreted as thermodynamic evidence for a pressure-driven crossover from strong- to weak-coupling superconductivity in Pb.