Abstract
Transition metal monopnictides belong to the new class of semimetals where the bulk properties are determined by the presence of pairs of nodes with different chirality formed by linear dispersive states in the k-space. Beside the anomaly in the bulk magnetotransport superconductivity is frequently found in some Weyl semimetals. We found signatures of superconductivity in ac and dc magnetization measurements of highly pure and stoichiometric NbP powder. We determined the lower and upper critical field and the Ginzburg-Landau parameter. The relative small superconducting volume fraction is related to either effect of finite grain size and/or surface superconductivity. The last mentioned may originate from either off stoichiometric (Nb-rich) surface layers or a strained surface with different electronic properties. Furthermore the intrinsic normal state susceptibility is determined taking into account a paramagnetic contribution of a few ppm of magnetic impurities.
Highlights
Niobium and its compounds play a major role in superconductivity including its applications to particle accelerators and superconducting magnets
We found signatures of superconductivity in ac and dc magnetization measurements of highly pure and stoichiometric NbP powder
Among the element superconductors niobium has with Tc = 9.5 K the highest transition temperature and belongs to the three type-II superconductors
Summary
Niobium and its compounds play a major role in superconductivity including its applications to particle accelerators and superconducting magnets. We found signatures of superconductivity in ac and dc magnetization measurements of highly pure and stoichiometric NbP powder. It shows a transition temperature of Tc = 17 K and a penetration depth of the magnetic field of λ = 200 nm.
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