The Journal of Chemical Physics

Exploring superconductivity under strong coupling with the vacuum electromagnetic field

A A. Thomas (University of Strasbourg and CNRS, ISIS & CESQ 1 , 67000 Strasbourg,) E E. Devaux (University of Strasbourg and CNRS, ISIS & CESQ 1 , 67000 Strasbourg,) K K. Nagarajan (University of Strasbourg and CNRS, ISIS & CESQ 1 , 67000 Strasbourg,) T T. Chervy (University of Strasbourg and CNRS, ISIS & CESQ 1 , 67000 Strasbourg,) M M. Seidel G G. Rogez (University of Strasbourg and CNRS, IPCMS 2 , 67000 Strasbourg,) J J. Robert (University of Strasbourg and CNRS, IPCMS 2 , 67000 Strasbourg,) M M. Drillon (University of Strasbourg and CNRS, IPCMS 2 , 67000 Strasbourg,) T T. T. Ruan (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Institute of Nanotechnology 3 , 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen,) S S. Schlittenhardt (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Institute of Nanotechnology 3 , 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen,) M M. Ruben (University of Strasbourg and CNRS, ISIS & CESQ 1 , 67000 Strasbourg,) D D. Hagenmüller (University of Strasbourg and CNRS, ISIS & CESQ 1 , 67000 Strasbourg,) S S. Schütz (University of Strasbourg and CNRS, ISIS & CESQ 1 , 67000 Strasbourg,) J J. Schachenmayer (University of Strasbourg and CNRS, ISIS & CESQ 1 , 67000 Strasbourg,) C C. Genet (University of Strasbourg and CNRS, ISIS & CESQ 1 , 67000 Strasbourg,) G G. Pupillo (University of Strasbourg and CNRS, ISIS & CESQ 1 , 67000 Strasbourg,) T T. W. Ebbesen (University of Strasbourg and CNRS, ISIS & CESQ 1 , 67000 Strasbourg,)

Abstract

Strong light–matter interactions have generated considerable interest as a means to manipulate material properties. Here, we explore this possibility with the molecular superconductor Rb3C60 under vibrational strong coupling (VSC) to surface plasmon polaritons. By placing the superconductor-surface plasmon system in a SQUID magnetometer, we find that the superconducting transition temperature (Tc) increases from 30 to 45 K at normal pressures under VSC, displaying a well-defined Meissner effect. A simple theoretical framework is provided to understand these results based on an enhancement of the electron–phonon coupling. This proof-of-principle study opens a new tool box to not only modify superconducting materials but also to understand the mechanistic details of different superconductors.

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Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 162, Issue 13
Published April 07, 2025
ISSN 0021-9606
Publisher American Institute of Physics

Journal Info

The Journal of Chemical Physics

American Institute of Physics
ISSN: 0021-9606 Physical Sciences

Authors (17)

A

A. Thomas

University of Strasbourg and CNRS, ISIS & CESQ 1 , 67000 Strasbourg,

E

E. Devaux

University of Strasbourg and CNRS, ISIS & CESQ 1 , 67000 Strasbourg,

K

K. Nagarajan

University of Strasbourg and CNRS, ISIS & CESQ 1 , 67000 Strasbourg,

T

T. Chervy

University of Strasbourg and CNRS, ISIS & CESQ 1 , 67000 Strasbourg,

M

M. Seidel

G

G. Rogez

University of Strasbourg and CNRS, IPCMS 2 , 67000 Strasbourg,

J

J. Robert

University of Strasbourg and CNRS, IPCMS 2 , 67000 Strasbourg,

M

M. Drillon

University of Strasbourg and CNRS, IPCMS 2 , 67000 Strasbourg,

T

T. T. Ruan

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Institute of Nanotechnology 3 , 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen,

S

S. Schlittenhardt

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Institute of Nanotechnology 3 , 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen,

M

M. Ruben

University of Strasbourg and CNRS, ISIS & CESQ 1 , 67000 Strasbourg,

D

D. Hagenmüller

University of Strasbourg and CNRS, ISIS & CESQ 1 , 67000 Strasbourg,

S

S. Schütz

University of Strasbourg and CNRS, ISIS & CESQ 1 , 67000 Strasbourg,

J

J. Schachenmayer

University of Strasbourg and CNRS, ISIS & CESQ 1 , 67000 Strasbourg,

C

C. Genet

University of Strasbourg and CNRS, ISIS & CESQ 1 , 67000 Strasbourg,

G

G. Pupillo

University of Strasbourg and CNRS, ISIS & CESQ 1 , 67000 Strasbourg,

T

T. W. Ebbesen

University of Strasbourg and CNRS, ISIS & CESQ 1 , 67000 Strasbourg,

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