On the dc Magnetization, Spontaneous Vortex State and Specific Heat in the superconducting state of the weakly ferromagnetic superconductor RuSr$_{2}$GdCu$_{2}$O$_{8}$

TL;DR

This study improves dc magnetization measurement techniques for RuSr$_{2}$GdCu$_{2}$O$_{8}$, revealing complexities in detecting spontaneous vortex states and clarifying the role of impurities through specific heat analysis.

Contribution

Developed a refined measurement procedure to eliminate artifacts in dc magnetization data of weakly ferromagnetic superconductors, enabling more accurate analysis of vortex states.

Findings

Artifact-free magnetization measurements obtained.

Spontaneous vortex state cannot be conclusively confirmed.

Impurity phase Sr$_{2}$GdRuO$_{6}$ unlikely causes observed features.

Abstract

Magnetic-field changes $<$ 0.2 Oe over the scan length in magnetometers that necessitate sample movement are enough to create artifacts in the dc magnetization measurements of the weakly ferromagnetic superconductor RuSr$_{2}$GdCu$_{2}$O$_{8}$ (Ru1212) below the superconducting transition temperature $T_{c} \approx$ 30 K. The observed features depend on the specific magnetic-field profile in the sample chamber and this explains the variety of reported behaviors for this compound below $T_{c}$. An experimental procedure that combines improvement of the magnetic-field homogeneity with very small scan lengths and leads to artifact-free measurements similar to those on a stationary sample has been developed. This procedure was used to measure the mass magnetization of Ru1212 as a function of the applied magnetic field H (-20 Oe $\le$ H $\le$ 20 Oe) at $T < T_{c}$ and discuss, in conjunction with resistance and ac susceptibility measurements, the possibility of a spontaneous vortex state (SVS) for this compound. Although the existence of a SVS can not be excluded, an alternative interpretation of the results based on the granular nature of the investigated sample is also possible. Specific-heat measurements of Sr$_{2}$GdRuO$_{6}$ (Sr2116), the precursor for the preparation of Ru1212 and thus a possible impurity phase, show that it is unlikely that Sr2116 is responsible for the specific-heat features observed for Ru1212 at $T_{c}$.