Quasi-two-dimensional superconductivity from dimerization of atomically ordered AuTe2Se4/3 cubes
Year: 2017
Type: article
Abstract: The emergent phenomena such as superconductivity and topological phase transitions can be observed in strict two-dimensional (2D) crystalline matters. Artificial interfaces and one atomic thickness layers are typical 2D materials of this kind. Although having 2D characters, most bulky layered compounds, however, do not possess these striking properties. Here, we report quasi-2D superconductivity in bulky AuTe2Se4/3, where the reduction in dimensionality is achieved through inducing the elongated covalent Te–Te bonds. The atomic-resolution images reveal that the Au, Te, and Se are atomically ordered in a cube, among which are Te–Te bonds of 3.18 and 3.28 Å. The superconductivity at 2.85 K is discovered, which is unraveled to be the quasi-2D nature owing to the Berezinsky–Kosterlitz–Thouless topological transition. The nesting of nearly parallel Fermi sheets could give rise to strong electron–phonon coupling. It is proposed that further depleting the thickness could result in more topologically-related phenomena.
Source: Nature Communications
Authors: J. G. Guo, X. Chen, X. Chen, X. Y. Jia, Q. H. Zhang, N. Liu, H. C. Lei, S. Y. Li, L. Gu, S. F. Jin, X. L. Chen, X. L. Chen
Institutions: Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Physics, Collaborative Innovation Center of Quantum Matter, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fudan University, State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics, Renmin University of China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures
Language: English
Subfield: Condensed Matter Physics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $6,990
OpenAlex ID: W2742820251