Superconducting properties and electronic structure of NaBi

J Phys Condens Matter. 2014 May 28;26(21):212201. doi: 10.1088/0953-8984/26/21/212201. Epub 2014 May 8.

Abstract

Resistivity, dc magnetization, and heat capacity measurements are reported for superconducting NaBi. T(c), the electronic contribution to the specific heat γ, the ΔC(p)/γT(c) ratio, and the Debye temperature are found to be 2.15 K, 3.4 mJ mol(-1) K(-2), 0.78, and 140 K respectively. The calculated electron-phonon coupling constant (λ(ep) = 0.62) implies that NaBi is a moderately coupled superconductor. The upper critical field and coherence length are found to be 250 Oe and 115 nm, respectively. Electronic structure calculations show NaBi to be a good metal, in agreement with the experiments; the p(x) and p(y) orbitals of Bi dominate the electronic states at the Fermi Energy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Bismuth / chemistry*
  • Electric Conductivity*
  • Electrons*
  • Hot Temperature
  • Magnetics*
  • Models, Chemical
  • Phonons
  • Sodium / chemistry*
  • Temperature

Substances

  • Sodium
  • Bismuth