Superconductivity in Compressed Potassium and Rubidium

TL;DR

This paper predicts that under high pressure, potassium and rubidium could become superconductors with transition temperatures near 10 K, based on electron-phonon interaction calculations.

Contribution

It provides theoretical predictions of superconductivity in potassium and rubidium at high pressures using band theory and BCS-based calculations.

Findings

Potassium and rubidium may become superconductors under high pressure.

Predicted transition temperatures are close to 10 K.

Electron-phonon interactions are key to their superconductivity.

Abstract

Calculations of the electron-phonon interaction in the alkali metals, Potassium and Rubidium, using the results of band theory and BCS theory-based techniques suggest that at high pressures K and Rb would be superconductors with transition temperatures approaching 10 K.