Eliashberg theory of superconductivity and inelastic rare-earth impurity scattering in filled skutterudite La${}_{1-x}$Pr${}_x$Os${}_4$Sb${}_{12}$

Abstract

We study the influence of inelastic rare-earth impurity scattering on electron-phonon mediated superconductivity and mass renormalization in (La${}_{1-x}$Pr${}_x$)Os${}_4$Sb${}_{12}$ compounds. Solving the strong coupling Eliashberg equations we find that the dominant quadrupolar component of the inelastic scattering on Pr impurities yields an enhancement of the superconducting transition temperature T${}_c$ in LaOs${}_4$Sb${}_{12}$ and increases monotonically as a function of Pr concentration. The calculated results are in good agreement with the experimentally observed T${}_c(x)$ dependence. Our analysis suggests that phonons and quadrupolar excitations cause the attractive electron interaction which results in the formation of Cooper pairs and singlet superconductivity in PrOs${}_4$Sb${}_{12}$.

arXiv comment5 pages,4 figures, revised title suggested by editor, original fig.4 and fig.5 combined together, discussion added before conclusion

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Cited by in corpus (10)

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• Strong coupling superconductivity mediated by three-dimensional anharmonic phonons
• Field dependent mass enhancement in Pr_{1-x}La_xOs_4Sb_12 from aspherical Coulomb scattering
• 123Sb-NQR study of unconventional superconductivity in the filled skutterudite heavy-fermion compound PrOs4Sb12 under high pressure up to P = 3.82 GPa
• Penetration depth study of LaOs${}_4$Sb${}_{12}$: Multiband s-wave superconductivity
• Nonadiabatic effects of rattling phonons and 4f excitations in Pr(Os{1-x}Ru{x})4Sb12
• Muon spin rotation and relaxation in Pr${}_{1-x}$Nd${}_x$Os${}_4$Sb${}_{12}$: Paramagnetic states
• Collective modes in superconductors including Coulomb repulsion
• Effects of Impurities with Singlet-Triplet Configuration on Multiband Superconductors
• Effect of Impurities with Internal Structure on Multiband Superconductors - Possible Enhancement of Transition Temperature -