Superconductivity of Cobalt in Thin Films

TL;DR

This paper reports the discovery of superconductivity in non-magnetic face centered cubic phase of cobalt thin films at around 5.4 K, driven by phonon softening and electron-phonon coupling under strain.

Contribution

It demonstrates superconductivity in Co thin films' non-magnetic fcc phase, confirmed by experiments and first-principles calculations, revealing strain-induced phonon softening as the mechanism.

Findings

Superconductivity observed at ~5.4 K in Co thin films.

Superconductivity linked to phonon softening and electron-phonon coupling.

Non-magnetic fcc phase of Co confirmed by density functional theory.

Abstract

Due to competing long range ferromagnetic order, the transition metals Fe, Co and Ni are not superconductors at ambient pressure. While superconductivity was observed in a non-magnetic phase of Fe, stabilized under pressure, it is yet to be discovered in Co and Ni under any experimental conditions. Here, we report emergence of superconductivity in the recently discovered high-density nonmagnetic face centered cubic phase in Co thin films below a transition temperature (Tc) of ~5.4 K, as revealed in experiments based on point-contact spectroscopy and resistance, and four-probe measurements of resistance at ambient pressure. We confirm the non-magnetic nature of the dense fcc phase of Co within first-principles density functional theory, and show that its superconductivity below 5 K originates from anomalous softening of zone-boundary phonons and their enhanced coupling with electrons upon biaxial strain.