CeRu₂ and ZrV₂: Two interesting C15 Laves-phase superconductors

Abstract

Abstract We present new results on the electrical and magnetic properties of the two well known Laves phase superconductors CeRu2 and ZrV2. While the magnetization against field behaviour of ZrV2 resembles that of a conventional type II superconductor, the magnetization of CeRu2 decreases sharply when its superconductivity is suppressed by an applied field. Furthermore, the magnetic susceptibility of CeRu2 in the superconductivity state is distinctly more paramagnetic than in the normal state. These results suggest that CeRu2 is an example of an extreme type II superconductor having a paramagnetic mixed state as discussed by Hake in 1967. The effects of alloying with magnetic elements, on both the normal and the superconducting states of these two compounds, are also discussed.