Superconductor–insulator transition in La2-xSr x CuO4 at the pair quantum resistance

Bollinger, A. T.; Dubuis, G.; Yoon, J.; Pavuna, D.; Misewich, J.; Božović, I.

doi:10.1038/nature09998

Superconductor–insulator transition in La2-xSr x CuO4 at the pair quantum resistance

Journal Article · Fri Apr 01 04:00:00 EDT 2011 · Nature (London)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1038/nature09998· OSTI ID:1385532

Bollinger, A. T.; Dubuis, G.; Yoon, J.; Pavuna, D.; Misewich, J.; Božović, I.

High-temperature superconductivity in copper oxides arises when a parent insulator compound is doped beyond some critical concentration; what exactly happens at this superconductor–insulator transition is a key open question1. The cleanest approach is to tune the carrier density using the electric field effect; for example, it was learned in this way that weak electron localization transforms superconducting SrTiO₃ into a Fermi-glass insulator. But in the copper oxides this has been a long-standing technical challenge, because perfect ultrathin films and huge local fields (>10⁹ V m^-1) are needed. Recently, such fields have been obtained using electrolytes or ionic liquids in the electric double-layer transistor configuration. Here we report synthesis of epitaxial films of La_2-xSr_xCuO₄ that are one unit cell thick, and fabrication of double-layer transistors. Very large fields and induced changes in surface carrier density enable shifts in the critical temperature by up to 30 K. Hundreds of resistance versus temperature and carrier density curves were recorded and shown to collapse onto a single function, as predicted for a two-dimensional superconductor–insulator transition. The observed critical resistance is precisely the quantum resistance for pairs, RQ = h/(2e)² = 6.45 kΩ, suggestive of a phase transition driven by quantum phase fluctuations, and Cooper pair (de)localization.

Research Organization:: Energy Frontier Research Centers (EFRC) (United States). Center for Emergent Superconductivity (CES)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE SC Office of Basic Energy Sciences (SC-22)

DOE Contract Number:: AC02-98CH10886

OSTI ID:: 1385532

Journal Information:: Nature (London), Journal Name: Nature (London) Journal Issue: 7344 Vol. 472; ISSN 0028-0836

Publisher:: Nature Publishing Group

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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