Superconductivity in the layered compound Li(x)NbO2

The discovery of a new class of superconductors, Li(x)NbO2, with layered structures is reported. At low applied magnetic fields, the magnetic susceptibility greatly decreases to diamagnetic values below 5.5 K for Li(0.45)NbO2 and below 5.0 for Li(0.50)NbO2; this transition indicates the onset of superconductivity. In this first example of superconductivity in a layered early transition metal oxide, it is interesting to note that the layering has not increased T(c) to a new levels for early transition metal oxides.