Superconductivity: Raising the temperature in fullerenes

Superconductivity was first observed in a fullerene, electron-doped C60, about a decade ago. There are reasons to believe that the superconducting transition temperature (Tc) should be higher for hole-doped C60, where electrons are removed from the molecule rather than added, but C60 is notoriously loathe to give up electrons. Sch�n et al. have now succeeded in introducing up to 4.5 'holes' per C₆₀ molecule, raising Tc to 52K, five times higher than the electron-doped molecule, and the highest transition temperature so far reported for a non-copper oxide superconductor.

Superconductivity at 52K in hole-doped C₆₀
J. H. SCH�N, CH. KLOC, B. BATLOGG
Nature 408, 549-552 (30 November 2000)
| Abstract | Full Text | PDF |

Superconductivity: C₆₀ - the hole story
OLLE GUNNARSSON
Superconductivity has been demonstrated at a surprisingly high temperature in a C₆₀ solid, raising questions about its electronic properties and hopes of even higher temperatures to come.
Nature 408, 528-529 (30 November 2000)
| Full Text | PDF |

physics : Buckyball superconductors hot up
The carbon football could become the hottest of superconductors, reports Philip Ball. (30 November 2000)

30 November 2000 table of contents