Superconductivity in noncentrosymmetric ternary Carbide ThCoc2

Superconductivity in compounds whose crystal structure lacks inversion symmetry are known to display intriguing properties that can deviate from conventional superconducting behavior. In this thesis we report the discovery of superconductivity in the noncentrosymmetric ternary carbide ThCoC 2 as a result of a systematic experimental search for new superconducting compounds. Polycrystalline samples of ThCoC2 were synthesized and their properties characterized by X-ray diffraction, resistivity, heat capacity, and magnetization measurements. The results show clear evidence of bulk superconductivity in ThCoC2 with a critical temperature of Tc=2.65K. From the specific heat data we find a Sommerfeld coefficient of 8.38 mJ mol -1 K-2 and a Debye temperature of 449K. Interestingly the upper critical field Hc2 phase diagram displays unusual positive curvature, and the specific heat at low temperature deviates from conventional exponential temperature dependence. These results suggest possible unconventional superconducting behavior in the noncentrosymmetric ternary carbide ThCoC 2.