Abstract: The author announces the successful synthesis of a room-temperature superconductor, LK-99, for the first time in the world. This superconductor has a critical temperature of 400 K (127°C) and operates at ambient pressure. The superconductivity of LK-99 is confirmed through various properties such as zero resistivity, critical current, critical magnetic field, and the Meissner effect. The unique aspect of LK-99 is that its superconductivity is not dependent on external factors like temperature or pressure, but rather arises from a slight volume shrinkage caused by Cu$^{2+}$ substitution in the insulating network of Pb(2)-phosphate. This shrinkage creates a stress that distorts the cylindrical column interface, forming superconducting quantum wells. The author also mentions that the heat capacity results support this new model of superconductivity in LK-99. The ability of LK-99 to maintain this distorted structure in its interfaces is attributed to its unique composition, which enables room-temperature superconductivity under ambient pressure conditions.
https://arxiv.org/abs/2307.12008