China Science Preprint Paper Claims Successful LK-99 Replication and Levitation and Expectation of Useful Room Temperature Superconductors

Huazhong University of Science and Technology has published a preprint paper on Arxiv that claims successful growth and room temperature ambient-pressure magnetic levitation.

The chinese team from HUST has successfully for the first time verify and synthesize the LK-99 crystals which can be magnetically levitated with larger levitated angle than Sukbae Lee’s sample at room temperature. They state it is expected to realize the true potential of room temperature, noncontact superconducting magnetic levitation in near future.

Above – Diamagnetic levitation phenomenon for sample 2. Note that when the ferromagnet is near the sample, the sample rises and is completely perpendicular to the base. As the magnet moves away from the sample, the sample falls on the substrate

Conclusion


The HUST team has successfully grown the LK-99 materials with consistent diamagnetism transition and large levitation angle at room temperature and ambient pressure. Their results show the importance of crystallinity and proper Cu doping, indicating the fundamental potential superconducting mechanism with copper-oxygen induced band changes in such phosphate oxides. They expect more consistent tests such as electrical tests in room temperature will show the great potential such phosphate oxides.

Successful growth and room temperature ambient-pressure magnetic levitation of LK-99

Hao Wu1,2


†, Li Yang1,2


†, Bichen Xiao1,2


, Haixin Chang1,2


*


1 State Key Laboratory of Material Processing and Die & Mold Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, (HUST), Wuhan 430074, China.

2 Wuhan National High Magnetic Field Center and Institute for Quantum Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan 430074, China

Abstract

Recently, Sukbae Lee et al. reported inspiring experimental findings on the atmospheric superconductivity of a modified lead apatite crystal (LK-99) at room temperature (https://doi.org/10.6111/JKCGCT.2023.33.2.061, arXiv: 2307.12008, arXiv: 2307.12037). They claimed that the synthesized LK-99 materials exhibit the Meissner levitation phenomenon of superconductors and have a superconducting transition temperature (Tc) higher than 400 K. Here, for the first time, we successfully verify and synthesize the LK-99 crystals which can be magnetically levitated with larger levitated angle than Sukbae Lee’s sample at room temperature. It is expected to realize the true potential of room temperature, non-contact superconducting magnetic levitation in near future.