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Title: Superconducting Bi2Te: Pressure-induced universality in the (Bi2)m(Bi2Te3)n series

Journal Article · · Physical Review B
 [1];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [2]
  1. Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
  2. Univ. of Alabama, Birmingham, AL (United States)

Using high-pressure magnetotransport techniques we have discovered superconductivity in Bi2Te, a member of the infinitely adaptive (Bi2)n(Bi2Te3)m series, whose end members, Bi and Bi2Te3, can be tuned to display topological surface states or superconductivity. Bi2Te has a maximum Tc= 8.6 K at P= 14.5 GPa and goes through multiple high pressure phase transitions, ultimately collapsing into a bcc structure that suggests a universal behavior across the series. High-pressure magnetoresistance and Hall measurements suggest a semi-metal to metal transition near 5.4 GPa, which accompanies the hexagonal to intermediate phase transition seen via x-ray diffraction measurements. In addition, the linearity of Hc2(T) exceeds the WHH limit, even in the extreme spin-orbit scattering limit, yet is consistent with other strong spin-orbit materials. Considering these results in combination with similar reports on strong spin-orbit scattering materials seen in the literature, we suggest the need for a new theory that can address the unconventional nature of their superconducting states.

Research Organization:
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States); Carnegie Inst. of Science, Washington, DC (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA); USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC52-07NA27344; NA0001974; FG02-99ER45775; AC02-06CH11357; NA0002014; 14-ERD-041; AC52- 07NA27344; NA0002006
OSTI ID:
1247284
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1242586; OSTI ID: 1364610
Report Number(s):
LLNL-JRNL-679788; PRBMDO
Journal Information:
Physical Review B, Vol. 93, Issue 9; ISSN 2469-9950
Publisher:
American Physical Society (APS)Copyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 7 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

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Independence of topological surface state and bulk conductance in three-dimensional topological insulators journal November 2018

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