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Superconductivity in epitaxial PtSb(0001) thin films

C. Müller1,2,*, S. P. Bommanaboyena1, A. Badura1,2, T. Uchimura3, F. Husstedt4,5, B. V. Schwarze4, S. Banerjee1,6, M. Ledinský1, J. Michalicka1,7 et al.

M. Míšek1, P. Proschek2, M. Šindler1, C. Timm8,9, T. Helm4, S. Fukami3, F. Krizek1,10, and D. Kriegner1,†

  • *Contact author: mullerch@fzu.cz
  • †Contact author: kriegner@fzu.cz
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Phys. Rev. Materials 10, 094801 – Published 4 September, 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/zjt7-88m9

Abstract

Building on earlier reports of superconductivity in bulk PtSb, we present a systematic study of superconductivity in epitaxial PtSb(0001) thin films grown on SrF2(111). Electrical transport measurements reveal a superconducting transition at Tc=1.72K. The field-induced broadening of the transition and the temperature dependence of the upper critical fields are consistent with type-II superconductivity. We determine the upper critical fields for magnetic fields applied perpendicular and parallel to the film plane and parametrize their temperature dependence using an anisotropic Ginzburg-Landau approach. For a representative film in the intermediate thickness regime (d=50nm), we obtain coherence lengths of ξab≈56nm and ξc≈14nm. Current-voltage characteristics show sizable critical currents, with a critical current density reaching Jc≈6×104A/cm2 at 0.5K. These results establish the superconducting properties of epitaxial PtSb thin films and provide a basis for lattice-matched heterostructures within the NiAs-type materials family.

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Phys. Rev. Materials 10, 094801– Published 4 September, 2026
  • Received 13 May 2026
  • Accepted 11 August 2026
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