Superconductivity of at ambient and under applied pressure conditions
Phys. Rev. B 111, 214513 – Published 16 June, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/3w8q-c26h
Abstract
In the search for superconductivity with a high critical temperature , new materials with light elements are expected to favor electron-phonon coupling at higher frequencies, thus achieving a higher . Due to their typically stiff bonds and the small atomic masses, carbon intercalated compounds are among the prototypes of light-element superconductors. Here, we report on the electronic and superconducting properties of , a member of the carbon-based layered compounds. By using mostly muon-spin spectroscopy , we investigate the superconductivity as a function of temperature and hydrostatic pressure. The experimental data are compatible with a single -wave-gap superconductor in the clean limit. In particular, we find that the magnetic penetration depth at ambient pressure, , decreases only slightly with increasing pressure (up to 16.7 kbar). The superconducting gap is fully isotropic at ambient pressure, but it becomes anisotropic under hydrostatic-pressure conditions. At the same time, similar to other carbon-based superconductors, increases with applied pressure.