Two-Band $s_\pm$ Strongly Correlated Superconductivity in K$_3$ p-Terphenyl?

TL;DR

This paper proposes that a hypothetical K3 p-terphenyl superconductor could exhibit strong correlation-induced s± superconductivity similar to other doped aromatic hydrocarbons, potentially explaining its high critical temperature.

Contribution

It introduces a theoretical model suggesting K3 p-terphenyl could support s± superconductivity driven by strong correlations and narrow bands, based on structural assumptions.

Findings

Supports the possibility of high-Tc superconductivity in K3 p-terphenyl

Links the material's structure to s± pairing mechanism

Highlights the role of strong correlations and Mott proximity

Abstract

A new organic superconductor, possibly with formula $K_3$ p-terphenyl, has been discovered by Wang, Gao, Huang and Chen, reaching a very high $T_c$ of about 120~K. Besides a clear diamagnetic signal, most other details such as stoichiometry and structure are yet unknown. However, pristine p-terphenyl has a familiar $P2_1/a$ staggered bimolecular structure, and it can be reasonably assumed that a similar bimolecular structure could be retained by hypothetical $K_3$ p-terphenyl. We point out that the resulting 2-narrow band metal would support the same $s_{\pm}$ superconductivity recently proposed for doped polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as La-phenanthrene or $K_3$-picene. In that model, narrow bands, a large Hubbard $U$ and the neighbourhood of a Mott transition enhance superconductivity rather than damaging it.