Multi-condensate lengths with degenerate excitation gaps in BaNi${}_2$As${}_2$ revealed by muon spin relaxation study

Abstract

The recently discovered (Ba,Sr)Ni${}_2$As${}_2$ family provides an ideal platform for investigating the interaction between electronic nematicity and superconductivity. Here we report the muon spin relaxation ($\mu$SR) measurements on BaNi${}_2$As${}_2$. Transverse-field $\mu$SR experiments indicate that the temperature dependence of superfluid density is best fitted with a single-band $s$-wave model. On the other hand, the magnetic penetration depth $\lambda$ shows magnetic field dependence, which contradicts with the single-band fully-gapped scenario. Zero-field $\mu$SR experiments indicate the absence of spontaneous magnetic field in the superconducting state, showing the preservation of time-reversal symmetry in the superconducting state. Our $\mu$SR experiments suggest that BaNi${}_2$As${}_2$ is a fully-gapped multiband superconductor. The superconducting gap amplitudes of each band are nearly the same while different bands exhibit different coherence lengths. The present work helps to elucidate the controversial superconducting property of this parent compound, paving the way for further research on doping the system with Sr to enhance superconductivity.

Accepted by Phys. Rev. B