Superconducting-like and magnetic transitions in oxygen-implanted diamond-like and amorphous carbon films, and in highly oriented pyrolytic graphite

Abstract

In our previously published work, we have reported colossal magnetoresistance, Andreev oscillations, ferromagnetism, and granular superconductivity in oxygen-implanted carbon fibers, graphite foils, and highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG). In this follow-up research, more results on these oxygen-implanted graphite samples are presented. We show results from transport measurements on oxygen-implanted diamond-like carbon thin coatings, amorphous carbon films, and HOPG. Significantly, a three-order magnitude drop in the electrical resistance of the oxygen-implanted diamond-like carbon films is observed at the 50 K temperature that we have previously reported for the transition to the superconducting state. Below 50 K, the films’ resistance oscillates between the high and low resistance states, less when the sample is under a transverse magnetic field. This metastability between the insulating and superconducting-like states possibly reflects the evolution of the amplitude for the superconducting order parameter also known as the longitudinal Higgs mode. Transitions to low resistance state and metastability are also observed for amorphous carbon films. Finally, the HOPG samples’ resistance have a thermally activated term that can be understood on the basis of the Langer–Ambegaokar–McCumber–Halperin model applied to narrow SC channels in which thermal fluctuations can cause phase slips. We also find that in oxygen-implanted carbon materials, the electron charge and spin correlations do not compete and their interplay rather facilitates the emergence of high-temperature superconductivity, and thus, additional unexpected effects like Heisenberg spin waves and magneto-structural transitions are observed.