Quantum fluctuations-driven melting transitions in two-dimensional superconductors

Dong Qiu; Yuting Zou; Chao Yang; Dongxing Zheng; Chenhui Zhang; Deju Zhang; Yuhang Wu; Gaofeng Rao; Peng Li; Yuqiao Zhou; Xian Jian; Haoran Wei; Zhigang Cheng; Xixiang Zhang; Yanning Zhang; Haiwen Liu; Jingbo Qi; Yanrong Li; Jie Xiong

doi:10.1103/wbvb-r19q

Quantum fluctuations-driven melting transitions in two-dimensional superconductors

Dong Qiu, Yuting Zou, Chao Yang, Dongxing Zheng, Chenhui Zhang, Deju Zhang, Yuhang Wu, Gaofeng Rao, Peng Li, Yuqiao Zhou, Xian Jian, Haoran Wei, Zhigang Cheng, Xixiang Zhang, Yanning Zhang, Haiwen Liu, Jingbo Qi, Yanrong Li, Jie Xiong

DOI 10.1103/wbvb-r19q · Physical Review Research

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Abstract

Quantum fluctuations are pivotal in driving quantum phase transitions, exemplified by the quantum melting of Wigner crystals into Fermi liquids in electron systems. However, their impact on superconducting systems near zero temperature, particularly in the superconductor-insulator/metal transition, remains an open question. In this study, through electric transport measurements on the two-dimensional (2D) superconductor (SnS)1.17NbS2, we demonstrate that quantum fluctuations induce vortex displacement from their mean position, leading to the quantum melting of vortex solid near zero temperature. Quantitative analysis suggests the magnetic field-induced anomalous metal originates from this quantum melting transition, with energy dissipation governed by quantum fluctuations-driven vortex displacements. Remarkably, further extending this analysis to various 2D superconductors yields the same results, and many properties of anomalous metal can be qualitatively understood within the framework of quantum melting. The connection between the quantum melting of vortex solids and dissipative anomalous metal opens a pathway toward understanding quantum phase transitions through vortex dynamics, providing insights on both fields.

Source-reported materials — not catalogue approval

Formula	Reported Tc (K)	Pressure (GPa)	Type
(SnS)1.17NbS2 Archive — visibility unverified Source-occurrence policy only; no material identity or catalogue acceptance is inferred from the formula.	—	Pressure not reported	midpoint