Pressure-Induced Superconductivity in Sc to 74 GPa

TL;DR

This study demonstrates that scandium becomes superconducting under high pressure, with Tc reaching 8.2 K at 74.2 GPa, expanding understanding of pressure-induced superconductivity in transition metals.

Contribution

It extends the superconducting phase diagram of scandium under pressure and compares its behavior with other trivalent d-electron metals within a charge transfer framework.

Findings

Superconductivity in Sc is induced under pressure.

Tc increases monotonically to 8.2 K at 74.2 GPa.

Comparison of Tc(P) with Y, La, Lu within a charge transfer model.

Abstract

Using a diamond anvil cell with nearly hydrostatic helium pressure medium we have significantly extended the superconducting phase diagram Tc(P) of Sc, the lightest of all transition metals. We find that superconductivity is induced in Sc under pressure, Tc increasing monotonically to 8.2 K at 74.2 GPa. The Tc(P) dependences of the trivalent d-electron metals Sc, Y, La, and Lu are compared and discussed within a simple s-d charge transfer framework.