Two-dimensional superconductivity of the Ca-intercalated graphene on SiC: vital role of the interface between monolayer graphene and the substrate

TL;DR

This study reveals that the interface between monolayer graphene and SiC substrate is crucial for Ca-induced superconductivity, showing a maximum $T_{C}$ of 5.7 K and an unusual dome-shaped relation with conductivity.

Contribution

It demonstrates the vital role of the graphene-SiC interface and provides a new understanding of intercalation-induced superconductivity beyond existing models.

Findings

Superconductivity with $T_{C}$ up to 5.7 K was achieved.

The interface induces a bilayer graphene structure with increased carriers.

The $T_{C}$ exhibits an unusual dome-shaped dependence on conductivity.

Abstract

Ca-intercalation has opened a way for superconductivity in graphene on SiC. However, the atomic and electronic structures being critical for superconductivity are still under discussion. We find the essential role of the interface between monolayer graphene and the SiC substrate for superconductivity. In the Ca-intercalation process, at the interface a carbon layer terminating SiC changes to graphene by Ca-termination of SiC (monolayer graphene becomes bilayer) with inducing more carriers than a free-standing model. Then, Ca is intercalated in-between graphene layers, which shows superconductivity with the updated critical temperature ($T_{C}$) of up to 5.7 K. In addition, the relation between $T_{C}$ and the normal-state conductivity is unusual, "dome-shape". These findings are beyond the simple C6CaC6 model in which s-wave BCS superconductivity is theoretically predicted. This work proposes a general picture of the intercalation-induced superconductivity in graphene on SiC, and shed the light on the potential of superconductivity induced by other intercalants.