How Ice enables Superconductivity in Na_xCoO_2.yH_2O by melting charge order: Possibility of novel Electric Field Effects

TL;DR

This paper explores how water intercalation in Na_xCoO_2.yH_2O suppresses charge order and enables superconductivity, predicting novel electric field effects due to dielectric screening.

Contribution

It introduces a mechanism where water's dielectric properties melt charge order, facilitating superconductivity and proposing new electric field effects in the material.

Findings

Water intercalation suppresses charge order in Na_xCoO_2.yH_2O.

Enhanced dielectric constant screens charge ordering, promoting superconductivity.

Predicted electric field effects include electrical modulation of superconductivity and electroresistance.

Abstract

Charge ordering in doped \cob planes near the commensurate fillings $x = {1/4}$ and 1/3 are considered for $Na_x CoO_2.yH_2O$ and suggested to be competitors to superconductivity, leading to the experimentally seen narrow superconducting dome bounded by commensurate doping: ${1/4}<x< {1/3}$. Intercalated hydrogen bonded $H_2O$ network, by its enhanced dielectric constant, screen and frustrate local {\em charge order condensation energy} and replace a generic `charge glass order' by superconductivity in the dome. An access to superconductivity and charge order, available through the new water channel, is used to predict novel effects such as `Electrical Modulation of Superconductivity' and `Electroresistance Effect'.