Effect of spin orbit scattering on the magnetic and superconducting properties of nearly ferromagnetic metals: application to granular Pt

TL;DR

This paper investigates how spin-orbit scattering influences the magnetic and superconducting behaviors of nearly ferromagnetic metals, particularly granular platinum, revealing that scattering reduces magnetic moments and promotes superconductivity.

Contribution

It provides a theoretical explanation for the magnetic and superconducting properties observed in granular Pt based on scattering effects in small grains.

Findings

Spin-orbit scattering reduces giant magnetic moments.

Scattering diminishes spin glass freezing temperature.

Enhanced conditions for BCS superconductivity in granular Pt.

Abstract

We calculate the effect of scattering on the static, exchange enhanced, spin susceptibility and show that in particular spin orbit scattering leads to a reduction of the giant moments and spin glass freezing temperature due to dilute magnetic impurities. The harmful spin fluctuation contribution to the intra-grain pairing interaction is strongly reduced opening the way for BCS superconductivity. We are thus able to explain the superconducting and magnetic properties recently observed in granular Pt as due to scattering effects in single small grains.