| Abstract Scope |
The search for superconductors with a higher transition temperature (Tc) has been one of the major driving forces in the long-sustained research effort on superconductivity ever since its discovery in 1911. The record Tc of 164 K in cuprates was set by Paul Chu’s group at Houston and collaborators under 32 GPa in 1994. Since then, all record Tcs have been achieved under high pressure, including in hydrides and the recently reported nickelates, which hampers both the application of these record-setting materials and the measurement of their key physical properties. To overcome this hurdle, we have developed a pressure-quenching technique to retain metastable phases by taking advantage of energy barriers, similar to the formation of diamonds. In this talk, I will discuss our recent breakthrough in the successful retention of pressure-induced and/or -enhanced superconducting phases at ambient pressure in multiple systems, including FeSe, Cu-doped FeSe, and a topological material, Bi0.5Se1.5Te3. |