A search for the signatures of time reversal symmetry breaking in some superconducting elements

Time reversal symmetry (TRS) breaking in a superconductor is often taken as evidence of unconventional pairing states. The recent observation of TRS breaking in several noncentrosymmetric (NCS) superconductors, (materials that lack a centre of inversion), has added to the list of materials that exhibit this rare effect. However, the observation of TRS breaking in some related centrosymmetric superconductors has called in to question the role that the structure plays in producing TRS breaking. We propose to search for the signature of TRS breaking in the superconducting elements, La, Ir, Re, Os, Ta and V. These elements were selected as they are in superconductors that appear to break TRS, or are materials with large nuclear moments. This study will will allow us to better understand the role inversion symmetry plays in controlling the appearance of TRS breaking in superconductors.