Vortex Redistribution below the First-Order Transition Temperature in the β-Pyrochlore Superconductor KOs_2O_6

Abstract

A miniature Hall sensor array was used to detect magnetic induction locally in the vortex states of the $\beta$-pyrochlore superconductor KOs${}_2$O${}_6$. Below the first-order transition at $T_{\mathrm{p}}\sim 8$ K, which is associated with a change in the rattling motion of K ions, the lower critical field and the remanent magnetization both show a distinct decrease, suggesting that the electron-phonon coupling is weakened below the transition. At high magnetic fields, the local induction shows an unexpectedly large jump at $T_{\mathrm{p}}$ whose sign changes with position inside the sample. Our results demonstrate a novel redistribution of vortices whose energy is reduced abruptly below the first-order transition at $T_{\mathrm{p}}$.

5 pages, 4 figures, to be published in Phys. Rev. Lett

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Cited by in corpus (4)

• Rattling-Induced Superconductiviy in the Beta-Pyrochlore Oxides AOs2O6
• Lower Critical Fields of Superconducting PrFeAsO${}_{1-y}$ Single Crystals
• Superconducting Transition in the $\beta$-Pyrochlore AOs${}_2$O${}_6$ (A=Cs, Rb, K) under Pressure
• Penetration depth, lower critical fields, and quasiparticle conductivity in Fe-arsenide superconductors