paper

Controlled synthesis of the antiperovskite oxide superconductor SrSnO

arXiv:1712.09484 · doi:10.1088/1361-6668/aab6c2

Abstract

A large variety of perovskite oxide superconductors are known, including some of the most prominent high-temperature and unconventional superconductors. However, superconductivity among the oxidation state inverted material class, the antiperovskite oxides, was reported just recently for the first time. In this superconductor, SrSnO, the unconventional ionic state Sn is realized and possible unconventional superconductivity due to a band inversion has been discussed. Here, we discuss an improved facile synthesis method, making it possible to control the strontium deficiency in SrSnO. Additionally, a synthesis method above the melting point of SrSnO is presented. We show temperature dependence of magnetization and electrical resistivity for superconducting strontium deficient SrSnO ( ~ 5 K) and for SrSnO without a superconducting transition down to 0.15 K. Further, we reveal a significant effect of strontium raw material purity on the superconductivity and achieve 40% increased superconducting volume fraction (~100%) compared to the highest value reported so far. More detailed characterisation utilising powder X-ray diffraction and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy show that a minor cubic phase, previously suggested to be a SrSnO, is SrO. The improved characterization and controlled synthesis reported herein enable detailed investigations on the superconducting nature and its dependency on the strontium deficiency in SrSnO.

arXiv comment16 pages, 4 figures

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