Iron-based superconductors

QM

The incredible phenomenon of superconductivity – electrical conduction without resistance – was discovered more than a century ago. Yet until recently, the copper oxides, and magnesium diboride were the only known families of materials with superconducting temperatures close to accessible liquid Nitrogen temperatures. The discovery of the iron-based family of superconductors in 2008, with superconducting temperatures exceeding 50 K, was very exciting.

We made the discovery that the parent iron-based magnet transformed into a 40 K superconductor solely by the application of pressure, with profound implications for the discovery of new families of high temperature superconductors.

 

View Iron-based superconductors research highlights:

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Quantum alchemy: a new route to superconductivity

Research highlights

Suchitra Sebastian

ses59@cam.ac.uk

01223 850481

Siân Dutton

sed33@cam.ac.uk

01223 764159

Cavendish Laboratory,

19 J J Thomson Avenue,
Cambridge,
CB3 0HE

Maxwell Center