Publications Repository - Gdańsk University of Technology

We present the crystallographic analysis, superconducting characterization and theoretical modeling of LiBi, that contains the lightest and the heaviest nonradioactive metal. The compound crystallizes in a tetragonal (CuAu-type) crystal structure with Bi square nets separated by Li planes (parameters a = 3.3636(1)Å and c = 4.2459(2) Å, c/a = 1.26). Superconducting state was studied in detail by magnetic susceptibility and heat capacity measurements. The results reveal that LiBi is a moderately coupled type-I superconductor (λe‑p = 0.66) with Tc = 2.48 K and a thermodynamic critical field Hc(0) = 157 Oe. Theoretical studies show that bismuth square net is responsible for superconductivity in this compound, but the coupling between the Li planes and Bi planes makes a significant contribution to the superconductivity.

Authors

• dr inż. Karolina Górnicka link open in new tab ,
• Sylwia Gutowska,
• dr inż. Michał Winiarski link open in new tab ,
• Bartlomiej Wiendlocha,
• Weiwei Xie,
• R.j. Cava,
• prof. dr hab. inż. Tomasz Klimczuk link open in new tab