title: Crystal structure and superconducting properties of hexagonal lithium-niobium oxynitride.
abstract: A hexagonal oxynitride (Li(0.88)□(0.12))Nb(3.0)(O(0.13)N(0.87))(4) was synthesized through ammonia nitridation of LiNb(3)O(8). The structural analysis revealed that this oxynitride consists of alternate stacking of octahedral and prismatic layers with different Li/Nb ratios: significant amounts of Li and Nb atoms (Li/Nb = 43/57) coexist in the octahedral layer, while the prismatic site is preferentially occupied by Nb (Li/Nb = 3/97). A metallic behavior was accompanied by an abrupt drop of electrical resistivity at about 3 K. Furthermore, large diamagnetism and specific-heat anomaly were observed below this temperature, suggesting the appearance of superconductivity in the Li-Nb oxynitride.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-8628, Japan. t-mot@eng.hokudai.ac.jp
authors.forename: Teruki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Motohashi
authors.forename: Masahiko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ito
authors.forename: Yuji
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Masubuchi
authors.forename: Makoto
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wakeshima
authors.forename: Shinichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kikkawa