High-Tc Superconductivity at Oxide-Chalcogenide Interfaces
Abstract
RESEARCH PROBLEM: Achieving room temperature superconductivity would transformsectors ranging from energy and transportation to communication and healthcare. A recentbreakthrough showed that interface-enhanced electron-phonon coupling could increasesuperconducting Tc by an order of magnitude, to above 100 K, at an oxide-chalcogenide interface.Exploiting this observation for the construction of even higher Tc superconductivity in novelsystems, demands advances in large-scale computational methods and detailed calculations tostudy the interfacial interactions in these systems, development of synthetic techniques to marrydissimilar materials, and design of characterization tools to rapidly extract both the intrinsic andextrinsic changes to the interface in a manner which can feed back to theory and new predictions.TECHNICAL APPROACHES: We propose a coordinated effort using a suite of theoretical,synthesis, and characterization tools. We will utilize our team???s recent advances in fast, scalableelectron-phonon calculations to screen a large number of oxide-chalcogenide interfaces forpotential superconductivity, and will follow up with more detailed computations on promisingcandidates. We will employ our experience in both oxide and chalcogenide synthesis to constructcoherent interfaces with atomic-scale precision. Such materials will be interrogated with a suiteof local imaging tools to determine the atomic, electronic and magnetic structure.ANTICIPATED OUTCOMES: Our primary objective is to discover higher-Tc superconductorsand higher-Jc superconductors. Furthermore, our program will develop the first coherent workflowfor prediction and discovery of novel, interface superconductors. We will develop a collection ofcomputational methods, the first open-access materials-interface database, new materials synthesismethods for cleaner interfaces, and new imaging tools for rapid screening and understanding ofsuperconducting materials, so that future teams can continue to build on our efforts for thediscovery of novel electronic properties at interfaces.IMPACT ON DOD CAPABILITIES: DoD priorities include compact mechanisms for energygeneration and storage, metamaterials for signal transmission, detection, and cloaking, andJosephson junction arrays for microwave and electronic applications. Furthermore, a new type of???topological superconductor??? could help make robust quantum computing a reality, includingbenefits ranging from code-breaking to accurate predictions of new materials. Such technologieswould improve both the daily lives and the strategic defenses of our nation. Devices have beenproposed to achieve each of these aims, but all rely on properties of superconducting materials thathave not yet been discovered or optimized. Our primary objective is to discover higher-Tcsuperconductors and higher-Jc superconductors, to bring these technologies to fruition.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jul 27, 2018
- Source ID
- N000141812691
Entities
People
- Jennifer E. Hoffman
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- President and Fellows of Harvard College
- United States Navy