Superconductivity of ternary silicides A(Ga x,Si 1− x) 2 (A=Ca, Sr, and Ba)

Abstract

Ternary silicides A(Ga x ,Si 1− x ) 2 (A=Ca, Sr, and Ba) were prepared by Ar arc melting. Powder X-ray diffraction indicates that they have the AlB 2-type structure in which Si and Ga atoms are arranged in chemically disordered honeycomb layers and atoms A are intercalated between them. Resistivity and DC magnetization measurements revealed that they are superconductors with a critical temperature for superconductivity ranging from 3.3 to 3.9 K.