Quantum Tunnelling and Room-Temperature Superconductivity of Hydride from Size Effects

Abstract

Superconductivity of a micron-sized hydride sample measured between metal probes under extreme pressure could be considered as a macroscopic quantum tunnelling phenomenon through metal-hydride-metal. The energy barrier height of hydride is regulated by pressure. The energy barrier width between tips of the metal probes should be minimized to limit the chance of exponential decay in electron tunnelling. There is also a thickness effect since thinner hydride samples around 1 micron are favoured for achieving higher superconductive temperatures. Hence, reduction in both barrier width and sample thickness is recommended to ensure optimum quantum tunnelling for realization of the room temperature superconductivity.