Pressure tuning of light-induced superconductivity in K 3 C 60

• Published in: Nature physics 2018-08, Vol.14 (8), p.837
• Main Authors: Cantaluppi, A, Buzzi, M, Jotzu, G, Nicoletti, D, Mitrano, M, Pontiroli, D, Riccò, M, Perucchi, A, Di Pietro, P, Cavalleri, A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1745-2473
• DOI: 10.1038/s41567-018-0134-8

Optical excitation at terahertz frequencies has emerged as an effective means to dynamically manipulate complex materials. In the molecular solid K C , short mid-infrared pulses transform the high-temperature metal into a non-equilibrium state with the optical properties of a superconductor. Here we tune this effect with hydrostatic pressure and find that the superconducting-like features gradually disappear at around 0.3 GPa. Reduction with pressure underscores the similarity with the equilibrium superconducting phase of K C , in which a larger electronic bandwidth induced by pressure is also detrimental for pairing. Crucially, our observation excludes alternative interpretations based on a high-mobility metallic phase. The pressure dependence also suggests that transient, incipient superconductivity occurs far above the 150 K hypothesised previously, and rather extends all the way to room temperature.