A peak in the critical current for quantum critical superconductors

Abstract

Generally, studies of the critical current Ic are necessary if superconductors are to be of practical use because Ic sets the current limit below which there is a zero-resistance state. Here, we report a peak in the pressure dependence of the zero-field Ic, Ic(0), at a hidden quantum critical point (QCP), where a continuous antiferromagnetic transition temperature is suppressed by pressure toward 0 K in CeRhIn5 and 4.4% Sn-doped CeRhIn5. The Ic(0)s of these Ce-based compounds under pressure exhibit a universal temperature dependence, underlining that the peak in zero-field Ic(P) is determined predominantly by critical fluctuations associated with the hidden QCP. The dc conductivity is a minimum at the QCP, showing anti-correlation with Ic(0). These discoveries demonstrate that a quantum critical point hidden inside the superconducting phase in strongly correlated materials can be exposed by the zero-field Ic, therefore providing a direct link between a QCP and unconventional superconductivity.

15 pages, 3 figures plus Supplementary Information

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• Resistive transition of hydrogen-rich superconductors
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• $d$-wave superconductivity as a model for diborides apart MgB${}_2$
• Quantum Phase Transition as a Promising Route to Enhance the Critical Current in Kagome Superconductor CsV${}_3$Sb${}_5$
• Josephsonic diagnostic of competing orders in quantum critical multiband superconductors
• Interplay of itinerant electrons and Ising moments in a hybrid honeycomb quantum magnet TmNi${}_3$Al${}_9$
• Critical current density of hole doped high-Tc cuprates and heavy fermion superconductors: relevance to the possible quantum critical behavior
• Boost of critical current density near quantum critical points in FeSe-Based superconductors with two superconducting domes
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