Topological Electronic States and Phonon Mediated Superconductivity in Ru Based Ternary Pnictides: ZrRuAs and HfRuP

Abstract

This study investigates the structural, electronic, mechanical, optical, thermodynamic, and superconducting properties of ZrRuAs and HfRuP. Electronic band structure calculations reveal topological semimetallic behavior in both compounds with several bands crossing the Fermi level. The inclusion of spin orbit coupling lifts band degeneracies in both compounds. The Fermi surface shows both electron and hole segments. The estimated Pugh ratio, Poisson ratio and machinability index indicate that both compounds are ductile in nature and exhibit excellent machinability. Optical results show metallic reflectivity and notable absorption in the ultraviolet region. Thermodynamic analysis indicates stable behavior. The estimated superconducting transition temperatures are 9.75 K for ZrRuAs and 9.03 K for HfRuP that indicates strong coupling conventional superconductivity. The results provide a detailed view of the physical and superconducting properties of ZrRuAs and HfRuP and help to close the existing research gaps in these topological superconducting materials.