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Enhanced superconductivity in plastically deformed strontium titanate

ORAL

Abstract

The properties of quantum materials are commonly tuned using experimental variables such as pressure, magnetic field and doping. Here we explore a different approach: irreversible, plastic deformation of single crystals. We show that compressive plastic deformation of SrTiO3 (STO) induces low-dimensional superconductivity significantly above the superconducting transition temperature (Tc) of undeformed samples. We furthermore present evidence for unusual normal-state transport behaviour that suggests superconducting correlations at temperatures two orders of magnitude above the bulk Tc. The superconductivity enhancement is correlated with the appearance of self-organized dislocation structures, revealed by diffuse neutron and X-ray scattering. These results suggest that Tc in STO is strongly influenced by the local strain around dislocations, consistent with a theory of superconductivity enhanced by soft polar fluctuations. More broadly, our results demonstrate the promise of plastic deformation and dislocation engineering as tools to manipulate electronic properties of quantum materials [1].

[1] S. Hameed, D. Pelc et al., arXiv:2005.00514 (2020)

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Presenters

  • Damjan Pelc

    School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Minnesota, University of Minnesota, University of Zagreb, Department of Physics, University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science

Authors

  • Sajna Hameed

    School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Minnesota, University of Minnesota, School of Physics & Astronomy, University of Minnesota

  • Damjan Pelc

    School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Minnesota, University of Minnesota, University of Zagreb, Department of Physics, University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science

  • Zachary Anderson

    School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Minnesota, University of Minnesota

  • Avraham Klein

    Ariel University, University of Minnesota

  • Richard Spieker

    School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Minnesota, University of Minnesota

  • Marin Lukas

    Univ of Zagreb

  • Yaohua Liu

    Neutron Scattering Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Lab, Neutron Scattering Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA, Oak Ridge National Laboratory

  • Matthew Krogstad

    Materials Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne National Laboratory, Materials Science Division, Argonne National Lab, Material Science, Argonne National Laboratory, Material Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory

  • Raymond Osborn

    Materials Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne National Laboratory, Materials Science Division, Argonne National Lab, Materials Science, Argonne National Laboratory, Material Science, Argonne National Laboratory, Material Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory

  • Chris Leighton

    University of Minnesota, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota

  • Rafael Fernandes

    University of Minnesota, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Minnesota, Physics, University of Minnesota, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, 55455 MN, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis

  • Martin Greven

    School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Minnesota, University of Minnesota, School of Physics & Astronomy, University of Minnesota