Discovery of a Superconducting Cu-Bi Intermetallic Compound by High-Pressure Synthesis

Abstract

A new intermetallic compound, the first to be structurally identified in the Cu-Bi binary system, is reported. This compound is accessed by high-pressure reaction of the elements. Its detailed characterization, physical property measurements, and ab initio calculations are described. The commensurate crystal structure of Cu₁₁ Bi₇ is a unique variation of the NiAs structure type. Temperature-dependent electrical resistivity and heat capacity measurements reveal a bulk superconducting transition at T_c =1.36 K. Density functional theory calculations further demonstrate that Cu₁₁ Bi₇ can be stabilized (relative to decomposition into the elements) at high pressure and temperature. These results highlight the ability of high-pressure syntheses to allow for inroads into heretofore-undiscovered intermetallic systems for which no thermodynamically stable binaries are known.

Keywords: bismuth; copper; high-pressure synthesis; intermetallics; superconductivity.