On-demand local modification of high-Tc superconductivity in few unit-cell thick Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ
Abstract
High-temperature superconductors (HTS) are important for potential applications and for understanding the origin of strong correlations. Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ (BSCCO), a van der Waals material, offers a platform to probe the physics down to a unit-cell. Guiding the flow of electrons by patterning 2DEGS and oxide heterostructures has brought new functionality and access to new science. Similarly, modifying superconductivity in HTS locally, on a small length scale, will be of immense interest for superconducting electronics. Here we report transport studies on few unit-cell thick BSCCO and modify its superconductivity locally by depositing metal on the surface. Deposition of chromium (Cr) on the surface over a selected area of BSCCO results in insulating behavior of the patterned region. Cr locally depletes oxygen in CuO2 planes and disrupts the superconductivity in the layers below. Our technique of modifying superconductivity is suitable for making sub-micron superconducting wires and more complex superconducting electronic devices.