Electrochemically modulated superconductivity

The goal of the project is to test the feasibility of electrochemically modulated superconductivity in the cuprate superconductors. Such a test is possible because the new high temperature superconductors are ionic solids that are extremely sensitive to oxygen potential. Passive optimization of the latter is impossible, not only because of materials processing limitations but also due to thermodynamic and structural instabilities. Our approach is active intervention by electrochemical means, in other words, electrochemical polarization while the material is actually or potentially in the superconducting state. This is possible only by the use of electrolytes that are functional at cryogenic temperatures. Several years ago we discovered cryogenic electrolysis and demonstrated the existence of such electrolytes. Success in this effort would make possible a new class of electronic and photonic devices that exploit the capability to control actively the transition into and out of the superconducting state while the material is in service.