LK99 has proven controversial since a research team the early findings in 2023 showed that it might be possible to create a superconductor that operates at room temperature. Such material would open the door to numerous applications from transport to of course quantum qubits which could potentially make use of the material. Current superconducting quantum computers require low temperatures to operate relying on a dilution fridge to maintain their quantumness.
LK99 Zero or Hero?
New Paper on LK99 Claims to Resurrect the Potential Room Temperature Superconductor
In a new paper titled: “Strange Memory Effect of low-field microwave absorption in
copper-substituted lead apatite”, the research team shows behavior consistent with superconductivity at room temperature and pressure. Published in arXiv, the paper is bound to cause more excitement among the world’s researchers that indeed there might be a chance of room-temperature superconductors.
The development of superconductivity at room temperature will be exciting to those working on superconducting quantum devices where the qubits typically have to be cooled or refrigerated to a very low temperature. Devices such as those from IBM and Rigetti work using superconducting qubits.
The world watched in anticipation of the early report of LK99 showing superconducting behavior. However, caution was afoot due to the extraordinary claims and the need to replicate the studies that first emerged from the South Korean researchers. Further studies dashed those initial hopes that LK99 could be superconducting. Over a dozen significant labs failed to observe superconductivity, with some noting possible normal diamagnetism or ferromagnetism. Alternate explanations were suggested for the original findings.
Theoretical explanations for potential mechanisms of superconductivity in LK99 are still incomplete. Simulations still appear largely inconclusive. Research by other labs added simulations and theoretical evaluations of the material’s electronic properties from first principles have still yielded little tangible evidence. But of course, these simulations will continue to see if there is theoretical support for the claims of the initial claim. One claim from a group in Spain (P. Abramian, A. Kuzanyan) concludes that LK99 is likely a heterogeneous material, making it hard for others to reproduce the original results. Therefore if making the material is simply very difficult, we could be in for a longer wait until more groups have effectively synthesised the same material as the Korean study.
All this is among a backdrop of a retracted article by other researchers who have suggested that they have created or discovered a material with Room Temperature Superconductor properties.
LK99, The original Discovery In Brief
The superconductivity of LK99 is thought to arise due to minute structural distortion caused by substituting Cu2+ ions in the insulating network of Pb(2)-phosphate, not by external factors such as temperature and pressure.
LK99 New Research
The research conducted by Jicheng Liu and colleagues focuses on the unusual memory effect observed in low-field microwave absorption (LFMA) in copper-substituted lead apatite. The study, involving continuous rotation of samples under an external magnetic field, revealed a significant hysteresis effect. Notably, this effect could not be reinstated by a strong magnetic field but spontaneously recovered after two days. This behavior suggests the presence of glassy features in the material and rules out the possibility of ferromagnetism.
A key finding is the sharp decrease in LFMA intensity around 250K, indicative of a phase transition. To explain these phenomena, the researchers employed a lattice gauge model. This model helps in understanding the transition between the superconducting Meissner phase and a vortex glass phase. Additionally, the study delves into the slow dynamics associated with this transition.
The research contributes to the understanding of complex magnetic properties in materials, particularly in the context of low-field microwave absorption and its relation to phase transitions in copper-substituted lead apatite.
Potential Applications of LK99
LK99 has many possibilities for applications such as magnets, motors, cables, levitation trains, power cables, qubits for a quantum computer, THz Antennas, etc. This new development is expected to be a significant historical event that opens a new era for humankind. For those who want a primer on quantum computers or devices, we have published plenty of introductory articles. Three publicly listed quantum companies utilize superconducting qubits in their quantum processors (IBM, Rigetti, and D-wave).
Summary
It seems we’ll all have to learn the prior lessons and ensure that we have a consensus before getting too excited about claims of room-temperature superconductivity. Watch this space as we keep an eye out for future developments.
