Superconducting properties and vortex pinning in intermetallic BaBi3 single crystals: a magnetization study

Abstract

Hysteresis and magnetic relaxation measurements were performed on single crystals of BaBi3, which is an intermetallic compound exhibiting superconductivity with a critical temperature (Tc) of 5.9 K. The London penetration depth (λ) was determined to be 130 nm, and the coherence length (ξ) was estimated to be 13 nm. The critical current density (Jc) was found remarkably low, measuring 20,000 A/cm2 under self-field conditions at 1.8 K. Analysis of the pinning forces suggests vortex pinning by crystalline defects associated with volume Δk (variations in the Ginzburg-Landau parameter). The relaxation rate follows the Anderson-Kim model, and the pinning energies range from 1600 K at 0.02 T to 500 K at 0.5 T. Our study aims to advance our understanding of the connection between intrinsic superconducting properties and vortex behavior in intermetallic materials characterized by low thermal fluctuations.