Search for New Superconductors Using Cubic-Anvil-Type High-Pressure Apparatus

Abstract

We searched for new superconductors using cubic-anvil-type high-pressure apparatus. Samples including valence skip elements such as Bi, Sb were intensively investigated. As a result, we have found new superconductors of LaBi₃ and Ba₂Bi₃ with the superconducting transition temperature (T_c) of 7.3 K and 4.4 K, respectively. We also succeeded in enhancing T_c of Au-Sb alloys and SrBi₃ up to 8.1 K and 9.0 K, respectively, by controlling their chemical compositions. In this article, we explain the properties of the superconductors and the research processes that led to the discovery of the new superconductors.