Optical properties of superconducting pressurized LaH
arXiv:2007.06640 · doi:10.1103/PhysRevB.102.024501
Abstract
Recently superconductivity has been discovered at around 200~K in a hydrogen sulfide system and around 260~K in a lanthanum hydride system, both under pressures of about 200 GPa. These record-breaking transition temperatures bring within reach the long-term goal of obtaining room temperature superconductivity. We have used first-principle calculations based on density functional theory (DFT) along with Migdal-Eliashberg theory to investigate the electron-phonon mechanism for superconductivity in the phase proposed for the LaH superconductor. We show that the very high transition temperature results from a highly optimized electron-phonon interaction that favors coupling to high frequency hydrogen phonons. Various superconducting properties are calculated, such as the energy gap, the isotope effect, the specific heat jump at , the thermodynamic critical field and the temperature-dependent penetration depth. However, our main emphasis is on the finite frequency optical properties, measurement of which may allow for an independent determination of and also a confirmation of the mechanism for superconductivity.
9 pages, 9 figures
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