Speaker: Xiao-Jia Chen (Center for High-Pressure Science & Technology Advanced Research)
Title: Discovery of superconductivity in phenyl molecules
Time: Wednesday 6th of November, Fika 10:30-11:00 , Seminar 11:00-12:00,
Place: Nordita South, room 112:028 .
Abstract:
Organic compounds are always promising candidates of superconductors with high transition temperatures Tc’s. In this talk, we will first talk about our recent discovery of superconductivity with Tc’s as high as 123 K in polyparaphenylene oligomers. Then we will show the experimental realization of superconductivity in other phenyl molecules such as organometallic compounds or compounds only containing C, H, and N. The evidence of the appearance of superconductivity is provided by the observations of the measurements of the dc and ac magnetic susceptibility and resistivity measurements together with the opening of superconducting gap detected from Raman spectroscopy. The obtained superconducting parameters classify these phenyl molecules as type-II superconductors. The benzene ring is identified to be the essential superconducting unit in such phenyl compounds. The superconducting phases and their composition are determined by the combined studies of the X-ray diffraction and theoretical calculations as well as the Raman spectroscopy measurements. The easy processability, light weight, durability of plastics, and environmental friendliness of these new phenyl superconductors have great potential for the fine-tuning of electrical properties. This discovery opens a window for exploring superconductivity in phenyl molecules.
