Absence of a Competition between Magnetism and Superconductivity in the Layered Nickel Borocarbides: Common Correlation Tc with Crystal Chemical Parameters for Magnetic and Nonmagnetic Compounds

TL;DR

This study analyzes crystal chemical factors influencing superconducting transition temperatures in layered nickel borocarbides, revealing a common correlation with crystal parameters regardless of magnetic properties, and clarifying the absence of competition between magnetism and superconductivity.

Contribution

It demonstrates a universal correlation between Tc and crystal parameters in nickel borocarbides, independent of magnetic properties, and refines rare earth radii and Tc predictions.

Findings

Tc depends on crystal parameters similarly for magnetic and nonmagnetic R

Magnetic properties R do not influence Tc in borocarbides

Predicted Tc values for various R substitutions based on correlations

Abstract

In the work the analysis of crystal chemical researches of nickel borocarbides RNi2B2C (R = rare earth) is given. The reasons of representation of dependence of Tc from crystal chemical parameters by two separate curves for magnetic and nonmagnetic R are considered. Common for all R dependences of Tc from crystal chemical parameters similar existing in layered quasi-two-dimensional systems (HTSC cuprates and diborides) are established. The absence of influence on borocarbides Tc of magnetic properties R is determined. On the basis of the found correlations the radii of a number of rare earths are precised and Tc of compounds at various substitutions R are calculated.