Bulk superconductivity at 38 K in a molecular system

;
• Takabayashi, Yasuhiro
;
• Khimyak, Yaroslav Z.
;
• Margadonna, Serena
;
• Tamai, Anna
;
• Rosseinsky, Matthew J.
;
• Prassides, Kosmas

Abstract

C₆₀-based solids are the archetypal molecular superconductors, reaching transition temperatures as high as 33 K. Now, Cs₃C₆₀ solids, having a transition temperature of 38 K, have been isolated. Both face-centred-cubic and body-centred-cubic phases were synthesized, and, uniquely among C₆₀ solids, the superconducting phase was found to be body-centred cubic.