Optical excitation at terahertz frequencies has emerged as an effective means to dynamically manipulate complex materials. In the molecular solid K3C60, short mid-infrared pulses transform the high-temperature metal into a non-equilibrium state with the optical properties of a superconductor. Here we tune this effect with hydrostatic pressure and find that the superconducting-like features gradually disappear at around 0.3 GPa. Reduction with pressure underscores the similarity with the equilibrium superconducting phase of K3C60, in which a larger electronic bandwidth induced by pressure is also detrimental for pairing. Crucially, our observation excludes alternative interpretations based on a high-mobility metallic phase. The pressure dependence also suggests that transient, incipient superconductivity occurs far above the 150 K hypothesized previously, and rather extends all the way to room temperature.

Pressure tuning of light-induced superconductivity in K3C60 / Cantaluppi, A; Buzzi, M; Jotzu, G; Nicoletti, D; Mitrano, M; Pontiroli, D; Ricco, M; Perucchi, A; Di Pietro, P; Cavalleri, A. - In: NATURE PHYSICS. - ISSN 1745-2473. - 14:8(2018), pp. 837-841. [10.1038/s41567-018-0134-8]

Pressure tuning of light-induced superconductivity in K3C60

Pontiroli D;Ricco M;
2018-01-01

Abstract

Optical excitation at terahertz frequencies has emerged as an effective means to dynamically manipulate complex materials. In the molecular solid K3C60, short mid-infrared pulses transform the high-temperature metal into a non-equilibrium state with the optical properties of a superconductor. Here we tune this effect with hydrostatic pressure and find that the superconducting-like features gradually disappear at around 0.3 GPa. Reduction with pressure underscores the similarity with the equilibrium superconducting phase of K3C60, in which a larger electronic bandwidth induced by pressure is also detrimental for pairing. Crucially, our observation excludes alternative interpretations based on a high-mobility metallic phase. The pressure dependence also suggests that transient, incipient superconductivity occurs far above the 150 K hypothesized previously, and rather extends all the way to room temperature.
2018
Pressure tuning of light-induced superconductivity in K3C60 / Cantaluppi, A; Buzzi, M; Jotzu, G; Nicoletti, D; Mitrano, M; Pontiroli, D; Ricco, M; Perucchi, A; Di Pietro, P; Cavalleri, A. - In: NATURE PHYSICS. - ISSN 1745-2473. - 14:8(2018), pp. 837-841. [10.1038/s41567-018-0134-8]
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11381/2851427
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