Signature of filamentary superconductivity in centrosymmetric silicide LuScSi

Abstract

Discovery of new superconductors with different crystal structure and exotic physics provides a great prospect for better understanding of superconducting mechanism. In this context, a detailed investigation of the structural, magnetic and electrical transport properties of a new superconducting alloy, LuScSi have been reported. Temperature (T) and magnetic field (H) dependent magnetisation (M) analysis reveals the onset of filamentary superconductivity below TC ∼ 4.2 K, which is among the highest value of TC that has been reported for LuTX (T = transition element, X = p block element) systems. This is corroborated with T and H dependent resistivity (ρ) and heat capacity (C) studies. Interestingly, in normal state, ρ exhibits a non-Fermi liquid behaviour (ρ (T) ∝ T2.38) in the range 5 < T < 50 K and Bloch-Gruneisen–type T dependence for 50 K < T < 250 K. The Kohler scaling is also employed on the magnetoresistance (MR) data indicating a single scattering rate across the Fermi surface in the normal state. Our studies reflect the conventional nature of moderately coupled superconducting state of this alloy.