In the past few days, South Korean researchers have published two papers on the preprint platform arXiv, claiming to have discovered the first room temperature ambient pressure superconductor.
Paper Abstract (Translated by DeepL)
Paper 1 ( https://arxiv.org/abs/2307.12008 ):
For the first time in the world, we have successfully synthesized a room-temperature superconductor (Tc over 400 K, 127 oC) working at normal pressure, and its structure is modified lead apatite (LK-99). The critical temperature (Tc), zero resistivity, critical current (Ic), critical magnetic field (Hc) and Meissner effect prove the superconductivity of LK-99. The superconductivity of LK-99 originates from tiny structural deformations caused by slight volume shrinkage (0.48%), rather than external factors such as temperature and pressure. The shrinkage is caused by the substitution of Cu2+ for Pb2+(2) ions in the Pb(2)-phosphate insulating network and creates stress. It is simultaneously transferred to the Pb(1) of the cylindrical pillars, leading to the deformation of the cylindrical pillar interface, thereby forming a superconducting quantum well (SQW) on the interface. The heat capacity results show that the new model is suitable for explaining the superconductivity of LK-99. The unique structure of LK-99 allows the tiny twisted structure to be maintained in the interface, which is the most important factor for LK-99 to maintain and exhibit superconductivity at room temperature and ambient pressure.
Paper 2 ( https://arxiv.org/abs/2307.12037 ):
A material named LK-99, which is a modified lead apatite crystal structure with a composition of Pb10-xCux(PO4)6O (0.9<x<1.1), was synthesized using a solid-state method. The material exhibits the ohmic metallic properties of Pb(6s1) above the superconducting critical temperature Tc, and the suspension phenomenon of the Meissner effect of the superconductor at room temperature and atmospheric pressure below Tc. The Tc of the LK-99 sample exceeds 126.85∘C (400 K). According to our analysis, the possible room temperature superconductivity of this material is mainly attributed to two factors: one is the volume shrinkage caused by the insulator-metal transition by substituting copper for lead; the other is the superconductivity at Tc Condensed, one-dimensional (D) chain (Pb2-O1/2-Pb2 along the c-axis) structural deformation enhanced by site-repulsive Coulomb interactions. We discuss the mechanism of room temperature Tc using the one-dimensional BR-BCS theory.
The researchers describe a lead-based copper-doped material LK-99 (representing Pb10-xCux(PO4)6O), which is a 1:1 ratio of two materials Pb2(SO4)O and Cu3P heated in a vacuum quartz tube to Formed after 925°C. Its manufacturing process is uncomplicated, so labs elsewhere in the world are expected to verify the results and publish the results soon. .
Previously released papers on room-temperature superconductors have sparked controversy, suggesting that there are misconducts such as data fabrication.
Industrial applications of LK-99 are currently not promising because of the limited current it can carry at high temperatures, a key property of superconductors.
Here comes the question, if the South Korean atmospheric pressure room temperature superconducting material is successfully verified, how can ordinary people seize the opportunity? How can ordinary people without relevant knowledge, background and skills face the technological revolution?