Probing mixed valence states by nuclear spin-spin relaxation time measurements
Several elements in the periodic table exhibit an interesting and often overlooked feature: They skip certain valence states, which is discussed in the field of superconductivity to be in favor of fostering higher transition temperatures T_{c}. However, from the experimental point of view, it is oft...
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| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
American Physical Society
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Physical Review Research |
| Online Access: | http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.7.L012080 |
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| Summary: | Several elements in the periodic table exhibit an interesting and often overlooked feature: They skip certain valence states, which is discussed in the field of superconductivity to be in favor of fostering higher transition temperatures T_{c}. However, from the experimental point of view, it is often deemed difficult to probe changes in the valence state. Here we demonstrate that the latter are accessible by the spin-spin relaxation rate 1/T_{2} in nuclear magnetic resonance. As target material, we chose the solid solution Ge_{1−x}In_{x}Te, where valence-skipping In induces superconductivity and changes its valence state as a function of x. We observe a strong enhancement in 1/T_{2}(x) and, most importantly, find that 1/T_{2} and T_{c} exhibit a strikingly similar x dependence. These results underline the importance of valence physics for the evolution of superconductivity in Ge_{1−x}In_{x}Te. A model based on a Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yosida type of interaction among the In nuclei is proposed which fully accounts for the experimental results. |
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| ISSN: | 2643-1564 |