Multi-gap nodeless superconductivity in nickel chalcogenide TlNi2Se2

Abstract

Low-temperature thermal conductivity measurements were performed on single crystals of TlNi$_2$Se$_2$, a nickel-chalcogenide heavy-electron superconductor with $T_c$ $\simeq$ 3.7 K. In zero field, the residual electronic contribution at $T$ $\rightarrow$ 0 K ($κ_0/T$) was well separated from the total thermal conductivity, which is less than 0.45\% of its normal-state value. Such a tiny residual $κ_0/T$ is unlikely contributed by the nodal quasiparticles. Nodeless gap structure is supported by the very weak field dependence of $κ_0(H)/T$ in low magnetic fields. In the whole field range, $κ_0(H)/T$ exhibits an "$S$"-shape curve, as in the case of nickel pnictides BaNi$_2$As$_2$ and SrNi$_2$P$_2$. This common feature of nickel-based superconductors can be explained by multiple nodeless superconducting gaps.

5 pages, 3 figures