Specific heat study of the Na0.3CoO2 · 1.3H2O superconductor: Influence of the complex chemistry

B. G. Ueland, P. Schiffer, R. E. Schaak, M. L. Foo, V. L. Miller, R. J. Cava

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Abstract

We report results of specific heat measurements on polycrystalline samples of the layered superconductor, Na0.3CoO2 · 1.3H2O. The electronic contribution to the specific heat, γ, is found to be 12.2 mJ/mol K2. The feature at the superconducting transition is rather sharp, becoming broad and strongly suppressed in an applied magnetic field. The data indicate a residual normal state electronic specific heat at low temperatures, implying that there is a sizable population of normal state electrons in the samples even below Tc. Inhomogeneity in the Na content, to which the superconducting state is exquisitely sensitive, appears to be the most likely explanation for these results. These results further indicate that special sample handling is required for an accurate characterization of the superconducting state in this material.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)27-30
Number of pages4
JournalPhysica C: Superconductivity and its applications
Volume402
Issue number1-2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 1 2004

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Energy Engineering and Power Technology
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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