Identify the Nematic Superconductivity of Topological Superconductor PdxBi2Te3 by Angle-dependent Upper Critical Field Measurement

• Published in: Journal of superconductivity and novel magnetism 2021-12, Vol.34 (12), p.3045-3052
• Main Authors: Wang, Xianyu, Jiao, Fei, Tian, Qingyin, Zhu, Shu, Dong, Xiangqing, Sun, Jianping, Cai, Lingbo, Hu, Jiayuan, Xu, Chenhang, Lu, Qing, Tan, Shugang, Wang, Cao, Jing, Qiang, Liu, Bo, Qian, Dong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Condensed Matter Physics; Letter; Magnetic Materials; Magnetism; Physics; Physics and Astronomy; Strongly Correlated Systems; Superconductivity
• ISSN: 1557-1939; 1557-1947
• DOI: 10.1007/s10948-021-06055-x

Odd-parity superconductivity is recognized as a key ingredient to realize topological superconductivity. In Bi2Se3-based bulk topological superconductors, the odd-parity pairing, which spontaneously breaks the threefold rotational symmetry of the crystal, leading to a subsidiary nematic order, was discovered. The nematic superconducting state can be identified by thermodynamic measurement, nuclear magnetic resonance measurement, ac- χ measurement, magnetic torque measurement or magnetoresistance measurement. Here, the single crystal of topological superconductor Pd x Bi 2 Te 3  was grown. Its upper critical fields were obtained by magnetoresistance measurement in various magnetic field orientations parallel to the basal plane. The in-plane upper critical fields clearly demonstrate a twofold symmetry that break the threefold crystal symmetry. This provides experimental evidence that Pd-doped Bi 2 Te 3  is a nematic topological superconductor similar to the Cu-, Sr-, and Nb-doped Bi 2 Se 3 .