Indication of Meissner Effect in Sulfur-Substituted Strontium Ruthenates

TL;DR

This study reports sulfur substitution in Sr2RuO4 ceramics, revealing a large diamagnetic response and potential high-temperature superconductivity indicated by the Meissner effect, with optimized samples showing metallic behavior.

Contribution

First demonstration of sulfur substitution inducing Meissner effect and possible high-temperature superconductivity in Sr2RuO4 ceramics.

Findings

Large diamagnetic signals comparable to YBCO

Metallic behavior in sulfur-substituted samples

Potential high-temperature superconductivity evidence

Abstract

Ceramic samples of Sr2RuO(4-y)Sy (y=0.03-1.2) with intended isovalent substitution of oxygen by sulfur have been synthesized and explored in the temperature range 4-300K. It is found that at a range of optimum sulfur substitution the magnetic response of ceramic samples reveals large diamagnetic signal with amplitudes approaching comparability with that of the YBCO-superconductors. Contrary to a pure ceramic Sr2RuO4, if properly optimized, the resistivity of sulfur-substituted samples has a metallic behavior except at lower temperatures where an upturn occurs. Both synthesis conditions and results of measurements are reported. The Meissner effect may point to high-temperature superconductivity.