Observation of In-Plane Quantum Griffiths Singularity in Two-Dimensional Crystalline Superconductors

Quantum Griffiths singularity (QGS) reveals the profound influence of quenched disorder on the quantum phase transitions, characterized by the divergence of the dynamical critical exponent at the boundary of the vortex glasslike phase, named as quantum Griffiths phase. However, in the absence of vortices, whether the QGS can exist under a parallel magnetic field remains a puzzle. Here, we study the magnetic field induced superconductor-metal transition in ultrathin crystalline PdTe2 films grown by molecular beam epitaxy. Remarkably, the QGS emerges under both perpendicular and parallel magnetic field in four-monolayer PdTe2 films. The direct activated scaling analysis with a new irrelevant correction has been proposed, providing important evidence of QGS. With increasing film thickness to six monolayers, the QGS disappears under perpendicular field but persists under parallel field, and this discordance may originate from the differences in microscopic processes. Our work demonstrates the universality of parallel field induced QGS and can stimulate further investigations on novel quantum phase transitions under parallel magnetic field.

Automated summary

The study found that Quantum Griffiths singularity (QGS) exists in ultrathin PdTe2 films, with QGS observed under both perpendicular and parallel magnetic fields in four-monolayer films. However, as the film thickness increases to six monolayers, QGS disappears under perpendicular field but persists under parallel field, suggesting differences in microscopic processes may be the cause of this discrepancy. This work demonstrates the universality of parallel field induced QGS and calls for further investigation on quantum phase transitions under parallel magnetic fields.