Strong Coupling Superconductivity in the Vicinity of the Structural Quantum Critical Point in (Ca$_x$Sr$_{1-x}$)$_3$Rh$_4$Sn$_{13}$

Abstract

The family of the superconducting quasi-skutterudites (Ca$_x$Sr$_{1-x}$)$_3$Rh$_4$Sn$_{13}$ features a structural quantum critical point at $x_c=0.9$, around which a dome-shaped variation of the superconducting transition temperature $T_c$ is found. Using specific heat, we probe the normal and the superconducting states of the entire series straddling the quantum critical point. Our analysis indicates a significant lowering of the effective Debye temperature on approaching $x_c$, which we interpret as a result of phonon softening accompanying the structural instability. Furthermore, a remarkably large enhancement of $2\Delta/k_BT_c$ and $\Delta C/\gamma T_c$ beyond the Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer (BCS) values is found in the vicinity of the structural quantum critical point. The phase diagram of (Ca$_{x}$Sr$_{1-x}$)$_3$Rh$_4$Sn$_{13}$ thus provides a model system to study the interplay between structural quantum criticality and strong electron-phonon coupling superconductivity.