Probing the Meissner effect in single crystals of $\mathbf{Bi_2Sr_2Ca_2Cu_3O_{10+\delta}}$ via wide-field quantum microscopy under high pressure

TL;DR

This study uses wide-field quantum microscopy to examine how different pressure media affect the superconducting transition in Bi-2223 crystals, revealing the critical influence of pressure environment on superconductivity.

Contribution

It provides direct comparison of pressure media effects on Bi-2223's superconductivity using NV-center microscopy, clarifying conflicting previous results.

Findings

Superconductivity persists up to 23 GPa in KBr media.

Superconductivity disappears above 11 GPa in cBN media.

Pressure environment critically influences the superconducting properties.

Abstract

We investigated the pressure dependence of the superconducting transition temperature ($T_{\rm c}$) in optimally doped Bi$_2$Sr$_2$Ca$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{10+\delta}$ (Bi-2223) single crystals using different pressure-transmitting media. Previous high-pressure studies have reported conflicting behaviors, ranging from a resurgence of $T_{\rm c}$ of optimally doped Bi-2223 in fluid media to an insulating-like transition in solid media. However, a direct comparison of the effects of different pressure-transmitting media is lacking. Here, we employed wide-field quantum microscopy based on nitrogen-vacancy centers to probe the magnetic response under high pressure, utilizing cBN and KBr as media. We observed that a diamagnetic response near 70 K, indicative of the superconducting transition, persisted up to 23 GPa in KBr, whereas it disappeared above 11 GPa and 70 K in cBN. These results demonstrate the high sensitivity of Bi-2223 to the pressure environment and highlight the critical role of hydrostatic pressure in cuprate superconductors.