Possible unconventional superconductivity in Na$_x$CoO$_2$yH$_2$O probed by $\mu$SR

TL;DR

This study investigates the superconducting properties of Na$_{0.35}$CoO$_2$1.3H$_2$O using muon spin rotation/relaxation, finding no static magnetism or change in spin susceptibility below $T_c$, suggesting possible unconventional superconductivity.

Contribution

The paper provides experimental evidence from $bc$SR measurements indicating the absence of static magnetism and unchanged spin susceptibility, supporting the hypothesis of unconventional superconductivity in this compound.

Findings

No static magnetism detected above 2 K.

No evidence of time-reversal symmetry breaking.

Spin susceptibility remains unchanged below $T_c$.

Abstract

The superconducting property of recently discovered sodium cobalt oxyhydrate, Na$_{0.35}$CoO$_2$1.3H$_2$O ($T_c=4.5$ K), has been studied by means of muon spin rotation/relaxation ($\mu$SR) down to 2 K. It was found that the zero-field muon spin relaxation rate is independent of the temperature, indicating that no static magnetism appears in this compound, at least above 2 K. The result also provides evidence against the breakdown of time-reversal symmetry for the superconducting order parameter. Meanwhile, the muon Knight shift at 60 kOe shows no obvious reduction below $T_c$, suggesting that the local spin susceptibility is preserved upon a superconducting transition. Considering these observations, possible unconventional superconductivity of Na$_{0.35}$CoO$_2$1.3H$_2$O is discussed.