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Published on: July 11, 2025
Superconducting graphene sheets in CaC6 enabled by phonon-mediated interband interactions
S-L Yang1, J A Sobota1, C A Howard2
11] Stanford Institute for Materials and Energy Sciences, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, 2575 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park, California 94025, USA [2] Geballe Laboratory for Advanced Materials, Departments of Physics and Applied Physics, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, USA.
Researchers observed superconductivity in the graphene π* band of CaC6, revealing a key mechanism for graphite intercalation compounds. This finding supports efforts to achieve superconductivity in single-layer graphene via adatom superlattices.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Materials Science
- Superconductivity
Background:
- Bulk graphite intercalation compounds exhibit superconductivity, but the mechanism remains debated.
- Inducing superconductivity in single-layer graphene is a significant scientific challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the superconducting mechanism in the graphite intercalation compound CaC6.
- To resolve the electronic band structure and electron-phonon coupling in CaC6.
Main Methods:
- Angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy (ARPES) was employed.
- Measurements focused on resolving the intercalant-derived interlayer band and the graphene-derived π* band.
Main Results:
- A superconducting gap was observed to open in the graphene π* band.
- A significant contribution to electron-phonon coupling arises from the π*-interlayer interband interaction.
Conclusions:
- The study provides a comprehensive understanding of superconductivity in graphite intercalation compounds.
- The findings support the potential for creating superconducting graphene using adatom superlattices.
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