Magnetic-Superconducting phase-diagram of Eu2-xCexRuSr2Cu2O10

Abstract

Eu2-xCexRuSr2Cu2O10-d (Ru-2122) is the first Cu-O based system in which superconductivity (SC) in the CuO2 planes and weak-ferromagnetism (W-FM) in the Ru sub-lattice coexists. The hole doping in the CuO2 planes, is controlled by appropriate variation of the Ce concentration. SC occurs for Ce contents of 0.4-0.8, with the highest TC=35 K for Ce=0.6. The as-prepared non-SC EuCeRuSr2Cu2O10 (x=1) sample exhibits magnetic irreversibility below Tirr=125 K and orders anti-ferromagnetically (AFM) at TM =165 K. The saturation moment at 5 K is Msat=0.89 mB /Ru close to the expected 1 mB for the low-spin state of Ru5+. Annealing under oxygen pressures, does not affect these parameters, whereas depletion of oxygen shifts both Tirr and TM up to 169 and 215 K respectively. Systematic magnetic studies on Eu2-xCexRuSr2Cu2O10-d show that TM, Tirr and Msat decrease with x, and the Ce dependent magnetic-SC phase diagram is presented. A simple model for the SC state is proposed. We interpret the magnetic behavior in the framework of our ac and dc magnetic studies, and argue that: (i) the system becomes AFM ordered at TM; (b) at Tirr < TM, W-FM is induced by the canting of the Ru moments, and (c), at lower temperatures the appropriate samples become SC at TC. The magnetic features are not affected by the SC state, and the two states coexist.