Scientists from South Korea have successfully synthesised a room-temperature superconductor, LK-99, that works at ambient pressure. This is a significant breakthrough, as previous room-temperature superconductors required extremely high pressure to function. The superconductivity of LK-99 is due to minute structural distortion caused by the substitution of Cu2+ ions in the insulating network of Pb(2)-phosphate, not by external factors such as temperature and pressure. This discovery could open up new possibilities for various applications such as magnets, motors, power cables, and of course, quantum computing.
The development will be of particular interest 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. Whilst the news from the South Korean team still needs to be digested, the world’s scientists are excited as the innovation could be transformative in so many fundamental areas. What is also apparent is that the materials used are not that exotic. Hence, if the results can be corroborated, then the materials could be widespread and embedded into many applications.
“For the first time in the world, we succeeded in synthesizing the room-temperature superconductor (Tc ≥ 400 K, 127 oC) working at ambient pressure with a modified lead-apatite (LK-99) structure.”
Discovery of a Room-Temperature Superconductor
This superconductor, named LK-99, has a modified lead-apatite structure. The superconductivity of LK-99 is proven with the Critical temperature (Tc), Zero-resistivity, Critical current (Ic), Critical magnetic field (Hc), and the Meissner effect. The superconductivity of LK-99 originates from minute structural distortion by a slight volume shrinkage (0.48 %), not from external factors such as temperature and pressure.
Overcoming the High-Pressure Problem
The recent success of developing room-temperature superconductors with hydrogen sulfide and yttrium super-hydride has garnered worldwide attention. However, these superconductors are difficult to apply to actual application devices in daily life because of the tremendously high pressure required. To overcome this high-pressure problem, scientists have taken a chemical approach to synthesise a room-temperature and ambient-pressure superconductor, LK-99.
The Unique Structure of LK-99
The unique structure of LK-99 allows the minute distorted structure to be maintained in the interfaces. This is the most important factor that LK-99 maintains and exhibits superconductivity at room temperatures and ambient pressure. The shrinkage in LK-99 is caused by Cu2+ substitution of Pb2+(2) ions in the insulating network of Pb(2)-phosphate, and it generates stress. It concurrently transfers to Pb(1) of the cylindrical column resulting in distortion of the cylindrical column interface, which creates superconducting quantum wells (SQWs) in the interface.
The Role of Stress in Superconductivity
“For the first time in the world, we report the success in synthesizing a room-temperature and ambient-pressure superconductor with a chemical approach to solve the temperature and pressure problem.”
The stress generated by the decrease in volume under low temperature or high pressure causes a minute strain or distortion. This structural change seems to bring about the superconductivity of it. The stress caused by temperature and pressure brings a minute structural distortion and strain, which creates an electronic state for superconductivity. In LK-99, the stress generated by the Cu2+ replacement of Pb(2)2+ ion was not relieved due to the structural uniqueness of LK-99 and at the same time was appropriately transferred to the interface of the cylindrical column.
Potential Applications of LK-99
LK-99 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.
“All evidence and explanation lead that LK-99 is the first room-temperature and ambient-pressure superconductor. The LK-99 has many possibilities for various applications such as magnet, motor, cable, levitation train, power cable, qubit for a quantum computer, THz Antennas, etc. We believe that our new development will be a brand-new historical event that opens a new era for humankind.”
Quick Summary
Scientists have successfully synthesised a room-temperature superconductor, LK-99, that works at ambient pressure, a world-first achievement. The superconductivity of LK-99 is due to minute structural distortion caused by the substitution of copper ions, creating superconducting quantum wells and allowing it to maintain and exhibit superconductivity at room temperatures and ambient pressure.
- For the first time, a room-temperature superconductor (LK-99) has been successfully synthesised, working at ambient pressure.
- The superconductivity of LK-99 is proven with the Critical temperature (Tc), Zero-resistivity, Critical current (Ic), Critical magnetic field (Hc), and the Meissner effect.
- The superconductivity of LK-99 originates from minute structural distortion by a slight volume shrinkage (0.48 %), not by external factors such as temperature and pressure.
- The shrinkage is caused by Cu2+ substitution of Pb2+(2) ions in the insulating network of Pb(2)-phosphate, and it generates stress.
- The stress concurrently transfers to Pb(1) of the cylindrical column resulting in distortion of the cylindrical column interface, which creates superconducting quantum wells (SQWs) in the interface.
- The unique structure of LK-99 that allows the minute distorted structure to be maintained in the interfaces is the most important factor that LK-99 maintains and exhibits superconductivity at room temperatures and ambient pressure.
- The LK-99 has many possibilities for applications such as magnet, motor, cable, levitation train, power cable, qubits for a quantum computer, THz Antennas, etc.
