Interactions Between Molecules and Superconductors

Citation

Hoffman, Brian Mark (1967) Interactions Between Molecules and Superconductors. Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/VMY9-GQ09. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-09182002-132853

Abstract

Recently, the possibility has been raised that interactions favorable to superconductivity might occur in molecules. Although most molecules or molecular aggregates are not even potentially superconducting, it has occurred to us that molecules can be coupled to metals through various kinds of bonds, and that such systems may then have interesting superconducting properties. Our approach to the preparation of such systems involves the deposition of selected molecules on thin metal films.

We first present a discussion of the theory of superconductivity, including a review of some of the interaction mechanisms appropriate to molecules. The experimental apparatus is described. Our results are then reported and discussed. We have found compounds that increase the superconducting transition temperature and critical current of thin vanadium films, as well as others which decrease them, and we have found that the sign of this effect can be correlated in a simple way with the electronic structure of the molecules. The nature of these effects is partially clarified by comparison to similar experiments with indium films.

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