Exploration of room-temperature superconductivity in the oxy-pyromorphite family
Abstract
Publicly Releasable Abstract - Approved for Public ReleaseDuring the last half-century, superconductors (SCs) were at the frontiersof the most demanding applications in science and technology. However, despite huge progress, the implementation of SC electronics in DoD RF systems strongly suffers from the need for cryostats. DoD will benefit highly if room-temperature SC materials (no cryogenics involved) become available. Prior work has essentially exhausted the elemental and binary SC materials and demonstrated the failure of the prior Matthias "rules" about avoiding oxygen, close relationship with magnetic and insulator states, as well as low symmetry and electron density of states in candidate materials.The mother substance of the most recent apatite-based candidate, LK-99, isan insulator and the most promising samples are so far highly multi-phased. Doped by Cu and possibly S, it becomes conductive (metallic) with relatively high resistivity indicating a low electronic density of states. The superconducting phase is believed to be Pb9CuP6O25 and dominated by mobile oxygen and possible Cu ligands. With more than 600 nature-made compounds (minerals), the search forroom temperature superconductors has just begun in this novel direction. We propose to continue the ongoing intensive efforts to convert various families of oxy-pyromorphite materials from insulators into superconducting materials with extremely high critical temperatures reaching or exceeding room-temperature. They are expected to be synthesized in thin film form so as to make it possible fabrication of discrete superconducting electronic elements on this basis.The planned transfer of our lab to Orange (CA) will facilitate research-related education and benefit ONR-supported projects.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Nov 08, 2024
- Source ID
- N000142412595
Entities
People
- Armen Gulian
Organizations
- Chapman University
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy