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. Schön 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. SCHÖN, 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