Double superconducting transition and low-temperature specific heat study of Pr(Os${}_{1-x}$Ru${}_x$)${}_4$Sb${}_{12}$

Abstract

The double superconducting transition in PrOs${}_4$Sb${}_{12}$, first observed in specific heat $C(T)$ measurements of single crystal samples, is the subject of an in-depth study. The double superconducting transitions of a batch of single crystals were measured before and after they were annealed for 5 days at $500^{\circ }$C, with no observed change. $C(T)$ measurements near $T_c$ for PrOs${}_4$Sb${}_{12}$ in several magnetic fields are also presented, detailing the evolution of the double transition up to 1 T. Samples of Pr(Os${}_{1-x}$Ru${}_x$)${}_4$Sb${}_{12}$ with $0.01\le x\le 0.04$ also appear to display a double superconducting transition in specific heat. In addition, samples with the smallest Ru concentration measured ($x=0.01$) may even display a different type of superconductivity than pure PrOs${}_4$Sb${}_{12}$ ($x=0$).

6 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev. B