Evidence for Nodal Superconductivity in LaFePO from Scanning SQUID Susceptometry

We measure changes in the penetration depth $λ$ of the $T_c \approx 6$ K superconductor LaFePO. In the process scanning SQUID susceptometry is demonstrated as a technique for accurately measuring {\it local} temperature-dependent changes in $λ$, making it ideal for studying early or difficult-to-grow materials. $λ$ of LaFePO is found to vary linearly with temperature from 0.36 to $\sim$2 K, with a slope of 143$\pm$15 Å/K, suggesting line nodes in the superconducting order parameter. The linear dependence up to $\sim T_c/3$ is similar to the cuprate superconductors, indicating well-developed nodes.

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