Superconductivity induced by spark erosion in ZrZn2

TL;DR

This study reveals that superconductivity in ZrZn2 is due to a superconducting surface layer caused by spark erosion, which can be removed by etching, indicating the superconductivity is surface-induced rather than bulk.

Contribution

It demonstrates that spark erosion induces a superconducting surface layer in ZrZn2, clarifying the nature of observed superconductivity as a surface effect rather than an intrinsic bulk property.

Findings

Superconductivity is confined to a surface layer caused by spark erosion.

Etching removes the superconducting layer, eliminating superconductivity.

Spark-eroded surfaces are Zn depleted, suggesting alloy formation with higher Zr content.

Abstract

We show that the superconductivity observed recently in the weak itinerant ferromagnet ZrZn2 [C. Pfleiderer et al., Nature (London) 412, 58 (2001)] is due to remnants of a superconducting layer induced by spark erosion. Results of resistivity, susceptibility, specific heat and surface analysis measurements on high-quality ZrZn2 crystals show that cutting by spark erosion leaves a superconducting surface layer. The resistive superconducting transition is destroyed by chemically etching a layer of 5 microns from the sample. No signature of superconductivity is observed in rho(T) of etched samples at the lowest current density measured, J=675 Am-2, and at T < 45 mK. EDX analysis shows that spark-eroded surfaces are strongly Zn depleted. The simplest explanation of our results is that the superconductivity results from an alloy with higher Zr content than ZrZn2.