Year: 1996
Type: article
Abstract: A theory for the effects of nonmagnetic disorder on the magnetic pair-breaking rate \ensuremath{\alpha} induced by paramagnetic impurities in quasi-two-dimensional superconductors is presented. Within the framework of a strong-coupling theory for disordered superconductors, we find that the disorder dependence of \ensuremath{\alpha} is determined by the disorder enhancements of both the electron-phonon coupling and the spin-flip scattering rate. These two effects have a tendency to cancel each other. With parameter values appropriate for ${\mathrm{Pb}}_{0.9}$${\mathrm{Bi}}_{0.1}$, we find a pair-breaking rate that is very weakly dependent on disorder for sheet resistances 0${\mathit{R}}_{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\square}}}$\ensuremath{\lesssim}2.5 k\ensuremath{\Omega}, in agreement with a recent experiment by Chervenak and Valles. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
Authors: T. P. Devereaux, D. Belitz
Institutions: University of California, Davis, University of Oregon
Language: English
Subfield: Condensed Matter Physics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2010030469