The existence of superconductivity in graphite has been under discussion since the 1960s when it was found in intercalated graphitic compounds, such as C8K, C8Rb and C8Cs. However, it was only about 40 years ago when the existence of superconductivity in pure graphite came up. In this work we directly investigate the interfaces highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) has in its inner structure, since they play a major role in the electronic properties. The results obtained after studying the electrical transport provide clear evidence on granular superconductivity localized at the interfaces of graphite samples. Zero resistance states, strong current dependence and magnetic field effect on the superconducting phase support this statement. Additionally, an abrupt reduction in the measured voltage at temperatures from 3 to 175 K has been observed. However, the upper value of this transition temperature seems to not have been reached yet. A possible method to enhance it is to increase the carrier density of graphite samples. In order to preserve to quasi-two-dimensional structure of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite, chemical doping has been dismissed in the frame of this work. We used an external electric field to move the Fermi level and, hence, try to trigger superconductivity in multi layer graphene samples. A drop on the resistance at around 17 K has been measured for a large enough electric field applied perpendicular to the graphene planes. This transition is strongly affected by magnetic field and only appeared at low temperatures. As a result of the studies included in this work, it appears clear that graphite has a superconducting phase located at certain interfaces with a very high transition temperature.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:DRESDEN/oai:qucosa:de:qucosa:12424 |
| Date | 26 March 2014 |
| Creators | Ballestar, Ana |
| Contributors | Esquinazi, Pablo, Universität Leipzig |
| Source Sets | Hochschulschriftenserver (HSSS) der SLUB Dresden |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | doc-type:doctoralThesis, info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis, doc-type:Text |
| Rights | info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess |
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