Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 5, 2026
04:51
Comparison of Two Different Synthesis Methods of Single Crystals of Superconducting Uranium Ditelluride
Published on: July 8, 2021
Pressure-induced superconductivity in topological parent compound Bi2Te3
Summary
Pressure induces superconductivity in topological bismuth telluride (Bi2Te3) at ~3 K without structural changes. This suggests potential for topological superconductivity via surface and bulk state interactions.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Materials Science
- Topological Materials
Background:
- Bismuth telluride (Bi2Te3) is a well-known topological insulator.
- Superconductivity in topological materials is of significant interest for quantum computing and electronics.
- Investigating pressure effects can tune material properties and potentially induce novel quantum phenomena.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the emergence of superconductivity in Bi2Te3 under high pressure.
- To determine the structural and electronic properties associated with pressure-induced superconductivity.
- To explore the potential for topological superconductivity in this system.
Main Methods:
- High-pressure X-ray diffraction (XRD) with synchrotron radiation for structural analysis.
- Hall effect measurements to determine charge carrier type.
- First-principles calculations to analyze electronic structure under pressure.
Main Results:
- Superconductivity observed in Bi2Te3 at approximately 3 K between 3 and 6 GPa.
- Superconductivity occurs in the ambient crystal phase, without a phase transition.
- Hall effect measurements confirm hole-type charge carriers.
- Electronic structure remains topologically non-trivial under pressure.
- Calculations suggest proximity effect between bulk and surface states.
Conclusions:
- Pressure-induced superconductivity in Bi2Te3 is confirmed.
- The findings suggest Bi2Te3 as a candidate for topological superconductivity.
- The interplay between superconducting bulk states and topological surface states is crucial.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:28Types Of Superconductors
A superconductor is a substance that offers zero resistance to the electric current when it drops below a critical temperature. Zero resistance is not the only interesting phenomenon as materials reach their transition temperatures. A second effect is the exclusion of magnetic fields. This is known as the Meissner effect. A light, permanent magnet placed over a superconducting sample will levitate in a stable position above the superconductor. High-speed trains that levitate on strong...
01:24Superconductor
A substance that reaches superconductivity, a state in which magnetic fields cannot penetrate, and there is no electrical resistance, is referred to as a superconductor. In 1911, Heike Kamerlingh Onnes of Leiden University, a Dutch physicist, observed a relation between the temperature and the resistance of the element mercury. The mercury sample was then cooled in liquid helium to study the linear dependence of resistance on temperature. It was observed that, as the temperature decreased, the...
01:17Theory of Metallic Conduction
The conduction of free electrons inside a conductor is best described by quantum mechanics. However, a classical model makes predictions close to the results of quantum mechanics. It is called the theory of metallic conduction.
In this theory, Newton's second law of motion is used to determine the acceleration of an electron in the presence of an applied electric field. Then, its velocity is expressed via this acceleration.
An electron moves through the crystal, containing positive ions,...
In this theory, Newton's second law of motion is used to determine the acceleration of an electron in the presence of an applied electric field. Then, its velocity is expressed via this acceleration.
An electron moves through the crystal, containing positive ions,...
01:28Phase Diagrams of Ternary Systems
Consider a ternary system, which is composed of three components: water (W), ethanoic acid (E), and trichloromethane (T). Here, Ethanoic acid (E) is fully miscible with both water (W) and trichloromethane (T), meaning it can mix entirely with either of them. However, water and trichloromethane have partial miscibility, meaning they can only mix to a certain extent, beyond which two separate phases will form.The phase diagram of a ternary system is represented as an equilateral triangle, where...
02:42Valence Bond Theory
Coordination compounds and complexes exhibit different colors, geometries, and magnetic behavior, depending on the metal atom/ion and ligands from which they are composed. In an attempt to explain the bonding and structure of coordination complexes, Linus Pauling proposed the valence bond theory, or VBT, using the concepts of hybridization and the overlapping of the atomic orbitals. According to VBT, the central metal atom or ion (Lewis acid) hybridizes to provide empty orbitals of suitable...
01:31Ferromagnetism
Materials like iron, nickel, and cobalt consist of magnetic domains, within which the magnetic dipoles are arranged parallel to each other. The magnetic dipoles are rigidly aligned in the same direction within a domain by quantum mechanical coupling among the atoms. This coupling is so strong that even thermal agitation at room temperature cannot break it. The result is that each domain has a net dipole moment. However, some materials have weaker coupling, and are ferromagnetic at lower...