Superconductivity in novel Ge-based skutterudites: {Sr,Ba}pt4Ge12

Phys Rev Lett. 2007 Nov 23;99(21):217001. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.99.217001. Epub 2007 Nov 20.

Abstract

Combining experiments and ab initio models we report on SrPt4Ge12 and BaPt4Ge12 as members of a novel class of superconducting skutterudites, where Sr or Ba atoms stabilize a framework entirely formed by Ge atoms. Below T(c)=5.35 and 5.10 K for BaPt4Ge12 and SrPt4Ge12, respectively, electron-phonon coupled superconductivity emerges, ascribed to intrinsic features of the Pt-Ge framework, where Ge-p states dominate the electronic structure at the Fermi energy.