Direct Observation of High-Temperature Superconductivity in One-Unit-Cell FeSe Films

We prepared one-unit-ceil （1-UC） thick FeSe films on insulating SrTiOa substrates with non-superconducting FeTe protection layers by molecular beam epitaxy for ex situ studies. By direct transport and magnetic measurements, we provide definitive evidence for high temperature superconductivity in the 1-UC FeSe films with an onset Tc above 40 K and an extremely large critical current density fie Jc-1.7× 106 A/cm2 at 2K, which are much higher than Tc-8K and Jc-104 A/cm^2 for bulk FeSe, respectively. Our work may pave the way to enhancing and tailoring superconductivity by interface engineering.     

SrTiO_3(001)衬底上单层FeSe超导薄膜的分子束外延生长

在以前工作的基础上,进一步研究了SrTiO3(001)(STO)衬底上单层FeSe超导薄膜的分子束外延生长.首先,通过去离子水刻蚀、盐酸溶液腐蚀和纯氧气氛中退火等步骤,获得台阶有序、具有单一TiO2终止的原子级平整表面的STO衬底,这是前提条件.这个过程中酸的选择和退火过程中氧的流量是最为关键的因素.其次,在FeSe薄膜的分子束外延生长中,选择适当的Fe源和Se源束流以及衬底温度是关键因素.如选择适当,生长模式为step-?ow生长,这时得到的FeSe薄膜将是原子级平整的.最后一步为退火,这个过程会增强FeSe薄膜结晶性以及它与SrTiO3衬底间的结合强度.