Decompression-Driven Superconductivity Enhancement in In2Se3

An unexpected superconductivity enhancement is reported in decompressed In₂Se₃. The onset of superconductivity in In₂Se₃ occurs at 41.3 GPa with a critical temperature (T_c) of 3.7 K, peaking at 47.1 GPa. The striking observation shows that this layered chalcogenide remains superconducting in decompression down to 10.7 GPa. More surprisingly, the highest T_c that occurs at lower decompression pressures is 8.2 K, a twofold increase in the same crystal structure as in compression. It is found that the evolution of T_c is driven by the pressure-induced R-3m to I-43d structural transition and significant softening of phonons and gentle variation of carrier concentration combined in the pressure quench. The novel decompression-induced superconductivity enhancement implies that it is possible to maintain pressure-induced superconductivity at lower or even ambient pressures with better superconducting performance.

Superconductivity enhancement in pressure quenching is observed in the layered material In₂Se₃. In situ high-pressure resistance and magnetic measurements reveal a twofold increase of T_c at lower decompression pressure. It is found that the superconductivity enhancement in decompressed In₂Se₃ is driven by the significant softening of phonons and gentle variation of carrier concentration combined in the pressure quench.

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