Peak Effect in the Superconducting Mixed State of Yb₃Rh₄Sn₁₃ Single Crystals

Abstract

We have measured the electrical resistivity, magnetic susceptibility, magnetization and specific heat of single-crystal samples of Yb₃Rh₄Sn₁₃. Below the upper critical field, we observed an irreversible peak effect in the magnetization curves above a finite reversible field region. The phase diagram determined from the temperature dependence of magnetization curves resembles that for CeRu₂ which was proposed as a candidate for Fulde-Ferrel superconductors recently. A tricritical point was found near 6, K which differs from the onset temperature of 7.8, K.