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Superconductivity in compressed lithium at 20 K

Author

Listed:
  • Katsuya Shimizu

    (Osaka University
    Osaka University)

  • Hiroto Ishikawa

    (Osaka University)

  • Daigoroh Takao

    (Osaka University)

  • Takehiko Yagi

    (University of Tokyo)

  • Kiichi Amaya

    (Osaka University
    Osaka University)

Abstract

Superconductivity at high temperatures is expected in elements with low atomic numbers, based in part on conventional BCS (Bardeen–Cooper–Schrieffer) theory1. For example, it has been predicted that when hydrogen is compressed to its dense metallic phase (at pressures exceeding 400 GPa), it will become superconducting with a transition temperature above room temperature2. Such pressures are difficult to produce in a laboratory setting, so the predictions are not easily confirmed. Under normal conditions lithium is the lightest metal of all the elements, and may become superconducting at lower pressures3,4; a tentative observation of a superconducting transition in Li has been previously reported5. Here we show that Li becomes superconducting at pressures greater than 30 GPa, with a pressure-dependent transition temperature (Tc) of 20 K at 48 GPa. This is the highest observed Tc of any element; it confirms the expectation that elements with low atomic numbers will have high transition temperatures, and suggests that metallic hydrogen will have a very high Tc. Our results confirm that the earlier tentative claim5 of superconductivity in Li was correct.

Suggested Citation

  • Katsuya Shimizu & Hiroto Ishikawa & Daigoroh Takao & Takehiko Yagi & Kiichi Amaya, 2002. "Superconductivity in compressed lithium at 20 K," Nature, Nature, vol. 419(6907), pages 597-599, October.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:419:y:2002:i:6907:d:10.1038_nature01098
    DOI: 10.1038/nature01098
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    Cited by:

    1. Yaxin Jiang & Hao Xiong & Tianping Ying & Guo Tian & Xiao Chen & Fei Wei, 2024. "Ultrasmall single-layered NbSe2 nanotubes flattened within a chemical-driven self-pressurized carbon nanotube," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-8, December.
    2. Shu Cai & Jinyu Zhao & Ni Ni & Jing Guo & Run Yang & Pengyu Wang & Jinyu Han & Sijin Long & Yazhou Zhou & Qi Wu & Xianggang Qiu & Tao Xiang & Robert J. Cava & Liling Sun, 2023. "The breakdown of both strange metal and superconducting states at a pressure-induced quantum critical point in iron-pnictide superconductors," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-7, December.
    3. Changling Zhang & Xin He & Chang Liu & Zhiwen Li & Ke Lu & Sijia Zhang & Shaomin Feng & Xiancheng Wang & Yi Peng & Youwen Long & Richeng Yu & Luhong Wang & Vitali Prakapenka & Stella Chariton & Quan L, 2022. "Record high Tc element superconductivity achieved in titanium," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-6, December.
    4. Xiaoyang Wang & Zhenyu Wang & Pengyue Gao & Chengqian Zhang & Jian Lv & Han Wang & Haifeng Liu & Yanchao Wang & Yanming Ma, 2023. "Data-driven prediction of complex crystal structures of dense lithium," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-6, December.

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