Thermal Conductivity of superconducting (TMTSF)_2ClO_4: evidence for a nodeless gap

TL;DR

This study presents the first thermal conductivity measurements of (TMTSF)_2ClO_4 in its superconducting state, revealing a nodeless gap which suggests a fully gapped superconducting order parameter.

Contribution

It provides the first experimental thermal conductivity data for (TMTSF)_2ClO_4, supporting the presence of a nodeless superconducting gap.

Findings

Electronic heat transport decreases rapidly below T_c

Evidence suggests a nodeless superconducting gap

Results do not exclude unconventional order parameters

Abstract

We report on the first measurements of thermal conductivity in the superconducting state of (TMTSF)_2ClO_4. The electronic contribution to heat transport is found to decrease rapidly below T_c, indicating the absence of low-energy electronic excitations. We argue that this result provides strong evidence for a nodeless superconducting gap function but does not exclude a possible unconventional order parameter.