Superconducting-molecular interfaces
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Leeds
Department Name: Physics and Astronomy
Abstract
This in an experimental project to investigate the origin and potential for the paramagnetic Meissner effect, the
emergence and long diffusion of Cooper pairs and spin triplets at molecular/superconductor (SC) and
molecular/metal/SC structures. By measuring molecular layers with and without metal interfaces, we will first
determine the role of molecular distortion and the propagation of Cooper pairs in these structures. We will also
confirm the presence of a spin ordering in proximity to superconductors and will determine the characteristic
length of this effect. Our previous results show evidence for the formation of magnetic interfaces in metallomolecular
interfaces [1,2]. Vortex pinning via C60, a paramagnetic Meissner effect, and local magnetic fields in
C60/Cu could coexist with an induced superconductivity when deposited on top of a superconductor. The use of
superconducting and/or magnetic electrodes to support long-range correlations that could extend throughout the
system has the potential for impact on applications such as such eco-friendly high-speed computing and
magnetic memories using Cooper pair triplets carrying spin information [3]. Superconducting proximity effects
may lift the resistive limitation of normal-state contacts and pave the way to single spin and spin triplet transport
in molecules. New methods to engineer electro-optical manipulation [4] (gating) and/or to study the coupling
between molecules and topological materials [5] can be considered. Preserving the spin ordering without
destroying superconductivity would lead to new paths to quantum computing and other carbon-based devices.
emergence and long diffusion of Cooper pairs and spin triplets at molecular/superconductor (SC) and
molecular/metal/SC structures. By measuring molecular layers with and without metal interfaces, we will first
determine the role of molecular distortion and the propagation of Cooper pairs in these structures. We will also
confirm the presence of a spin ordering in proximity to superconductors and will determine the characteristic
length of this effect. Our previous results show evidence for the formation of magnetic interfaces in metallomolecular
interfaces [1,2]. Vortex pinning via C60, a paramagnetic Meissner effect, and local magnetic fields in
C60/Cu could coexist with an induced superconductivity when deposited on top of a superconductor. The use of
superconducting and/or magnetic electrodes to support long-range correlations that could extend throughout the
system has the potential for impact on applications such as such eco-friendly high-speed computing and
magnetic memories using Cooper pair triplets carrying spin information [3]. Superconducting proximity effects
may lift the resistive limitation of normal-state contacts and pave the way to single spin and spin triplet transport
in molecules. New methods to engineer electro-optical manipulation [4] (gating) and/or to study the coupling
between molecules and topological materials [5] can be considered. Preserving the spin ordering without
destroying superconductivity would lead to new paths to quantum computing and other carbon-based devices.