Organic superconductors - New benchmarks
Abstract
Recent advances in the design and synthesis of organic synthetic metals have yielded materials that have the highest superconducting transition temperatures (Tc of about 13 K) reported for these systems. These materials have crystal structures consisting of alternating layers of organic donor molecules and inorganic anions. Organic superconductors have various electronic and magnetic properties and crystal structures that are similar to those of the inorganic copper oxide superconductors (which have high Tc values); these similarities include highly anisotropic conductivities, critical fields, and short coherence lengths. The largest number of organic superconductors, including those with the highest Tc values, are charge-transfer salts derived from the electron donor molecule BEDT-TTF or ET bis(ethylenedithio)-tetrathiafulvalene. The synthesis and crystal structures of these salts are discussed; their electrical, magnetic, and band electronic structure properties and their many similarities to the copper oxide superconductors are treated as well.
- Publication:
-
Science
- Pub Date:
- June 1991
- DOI:
- 10.1126/science.252.5012.1501
- Bibcode:
- 1991Sci...252.1501W
- Keywords:
-
- Band Structure Of Solids;
- Crystal Structure;
- High Temperature Superconductors;
- Organic Materials;
- Transition Temperature;
- Anisotropic Media;
- Charge Transfer;
- Donor Materials;
- Solid-State Physics