Superconductivity versus magnetism in the palladium 'ides': Pd${}_{1-c}$(H/D/T)${}_c$

Abstract

In general, conventional superconductivity and magnetism are competing phenomena. In some alloys this competition is a function of the concentration of the elements. Here we show that in the palladium alloys Pd${}_{1-c}$(H/D/T)${}_c$ (Pd-ides) the increase in the concentration $c$ of the ides: hydrogen, deuterium, tritium (H/D/T), lowers the predicted magnetism of amorphous palladium ($a$-Pd) gradually, allowing superconductivity to appear for $c\approx 40\%$. This magnetism explains why superconductivity does not manifest for smaller values of $c$ ($c\le 40\%$) in these Pd alloys. Also, these results validate indirectly our predicted magnetism in the amorphous/porous palladium ($a/p$-Pd). The understanding of the interplay between magnetism and superconductivity may contribute to the comprehension of the magnetic behavior in materials, especially in high $T_c$ superconductors, with the corresponding implications.

12 pages, 5 figures