Oxygen Control in Infinite-Layer Cuprate Heterostructures

Reference:

Jean-Marc Triscone, Stefano Gariglio

PI-KEM Product Referenced:

CaCuO2 and SrCuO2 compressed powder pellets

Abstract:

In 1911 H. K. Onnes discovered that some metals (the first one was mercury)can conduct electricity perfectly, that is without any energy loss, when cooled down below a specific temperature: the critical temperature. These compounds, called superconductors, also have the property to expel magnetic fields(the Meissner effect) which can lead to spectacular effects such as magneticle vitation. Beyond today’s use of the unique properties of superconductors, for instance in MRI, revolutionary applications in the fields of energy, the transport sector, computer science or in medicine could emerge if superconductivity would be obtained at room temperature and atmospheric pressure.A family of compounds, the cuprates, are particularly promising as they hold the record of the highest critical temperature at atmospheric pressure(135 K); they have been intensively studied since their discovery in 1986 byJ. G. Bednorz and K. A. M¨uller. In these compounds, superconductivity is confined within the CuO2 planes. However, their crystalline structure is usually complex which complicates the study of these systems. Some cuprates, with the chemical formula ACuO2 (with A = Sr, Ca or Ba) crystallise in the infinitelayer phase, a simpler crystalline structure but, as such, not superconducting,the CuO2 planes not being doped. Superconductivity can however be induced by doping them with electrons or holes. These infinite-layer cuprates are the subject of the present thesis.

Keywords:

Superconductors, Energy, Crystalline Structure, Compounds, Doping

Authors:

Adrien Waelchli

Organisation / Department Address:

GENEVE `Centre d’Impression de l’Universit´e de Gen`eve 2022

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