Superconductivity in Fe-Based Compound EuAFe₄As₄ (A = Rb and Cs)

Abstract

We report the discovery of a novel Fe-based superconductor EuAFe4As4 (A = Rb, Cs) and describe its superconducting properties. EuAFe4As4 has a tetragonal unit cell with a P4/mmm (No. 123) space group, indicating that this material is an 1144-type compound. The magnetic susceptibility and electrical resistivity indicate superconducting transitions at approximately 36 and 35 K for EuRbFe4As4 and EuCsFe4As4, respectively. Moreover, an anomalous magnetic transition appears at approximately 15 K, suggesting the coexistence of superconductivity and a magnetic ordered state formed by the Eu2+ ions. The determined upper critical magnetic fields and coherence lengths are approximately 920 kOe and 1.8 nm for EuRbFe4As4 and 875 kOe and 1.9 nm for EuCsFe4As4, respectively.