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Quantum fluctuations-driven melting transitions in two-dimensional superconductors

Dong Qiu1,*, Yuting Zou2,*, Chao Yang1,*, Dongxing Zheng3, Chenhui Zhang3, Deju Zhang4, Yuhang Wu1, Gaofeng Rao1, Peng Li1,† et al.

Yuqiao Zhou5, Xian Jian6, Haoran Wei2, Zhigang Cheng3, Xixiang Zhang3, Yanning Zhang4, Haiwen Liu7,‡, Jingbo Qi1, Yanrong Li1, and Jie Xiong1,§

  • *These authors contributed equally to this work.
  • †Contact author: peng.li@uestc.edu.cn
  • ‡Contact author: haiwen.liu@bnu.edu.cn
  • §Contact author: jiexiong@uestc.edu.cn
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Phys. Rev. Research 7, 033025 – Published 7 July, 2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/wbvb-r19q

Abstract

Quantum fluctuations are pivotal in driving quantum phase transitions, exemplified by the quantum melting of Wigner crystals into Fermi liquids in electron systems. However, their impact on superconducting systems near zero temperature, particularly in the superconductor-insulator/metal transition, remains an open question. In this study, through electric transport measurements on the two-dimensional (2D) superconductor (SnS)1.17NbS2, we demonstrate that quantum fluctuations induce vortex displacement from their mean position, leading to the quantum melting of vortex solid near zero temperature. Quantitative analysis suggests the magnetic field-induced anomalous metal originates from this quantum melting transition, with energy dissipation governed by quantum fluctuations-driven vortex displacements. Remarkably, further extending this analysis to various 2D superconductors yields the same results, and many properties of anomalous metal can be qualitatively understood within the framework of quantum melting. The connection between the quantum melting of vortex solids and dissipative anomalous metal opens a pathway toward understanding quantum phase transitions through vortex dynamics, providing insights on both fields.

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Phys. Rev. Research 7, 033025– Published 7 July, 2025
  • Received 23 May 2023
  • Revised 28 February 2024
  • Accepted 11 June 2025
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Published by the American Physical Society under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license. Further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the published article's title, journal citation, and DOI.

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