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Fabrication and Characterization of Superconducting Resonators
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Pressure tuning of light-induced superconductivity in K3C60
A Cantaluppi1,2, M Buzzi1, G Jotzu1
1Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter, Hamburg, Germany.
Nature Physics
|August 7, 2018
Summary
Applying hydrostatic pressure suppresses the superconducting-like state in potassium fulleride (K3C60) induced by optical excitation. This finding supports a connection between transient and equilibrium superconductivity, extending its potential range to room temperature.
Area of Science:
- Condensed matter physics
- Materials science
- Non-equilibrium phenomena
Background:
- Optical excitation at terahertz frequencies can dynamically control complex materials.
- Potassium fulleride (K3C60) transitions from a high-temperature metal to a superconducting-like state upon excitation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of hydrostatic pressure on the optically induced superconducting-like state in K3C60.
- To differentiate between transient superconductivity and other metallic phases.
Main Methods:
- Applying hydrostatic pressure up to 0.3 GPa.
- Optical spectroscopy to probe the material's response.
Main Results:
- Superconducting-like features in K3C60 diminish around 0.3 GPa under pressure.
- Pressure dependence aligns with known behavior of the equilibrium superconducting phase.
- Excludes interpretations based on a high-mobility metallic phase.
Conclusions:
- The optically induced state shares similarities with the equilibrium superconducting phase of K3C60.
- Transient superconductivity in K3C60 may extend to room temperature, challenging previous estimates.
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