High-pressure synthesis of a new silicon clathrate superconductor, Ba8Si46.
A new silicon clathrate compound with a composition of Ba8Si46 was prepared under high-pressure and high-temperature conditions. The compound was isomorphous with Na8Si46 and became a superconductor with a transition temperature of 8.0 K. Barium atoms occupy all of the Si20 and Si24 cages of the clathrate structure. This is the first clathrate superconductor obtained as a bulk phase.
Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima 739-8527, Japan. syamana@ipc.hiroshima-u.ac.jp
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S
Yamanaka
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E
Enishi
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H
Fukuoka
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M
Yasukawa