Tuning the electronic states and superconductivity in alkali fulleride films

The successful preparation of superconducting alkali fulleride (A$_x$C$_{60}$, A = K, Rb, Cs) films using state-of-the-art molecular beam epitaxy overcomes the disadvantages of the air-sensitivity and phase separation in bulk A$_x$C$_{60}$, enabling for the first time a direct investigation of the superconductivity in alkali fullerides on the molecular scale. In this paper, we briefly review recent cryogenic scanning tunneling microscopy results of the structural, electronic, and superconducting properties of the fcc A$_x$C$_{60}$ films grown on graphitized SiC substrates. Robust $s$-wave superconductivity is revealed against the pseudogap, electronic correlation, non-magnetic impurities, and merohedral disorder. By controlling the alkali metal species, film thickness, and electron doping, we systematically tune the C$_{60}^{x-}$ orientational orderings and superconductivity in A$_x$C$_{60}$ films and then complete a unified phase diagram of superconducting gap size vs electronic correlation and doping. These investigations are conclusive and elucidated that the $s$-wave superconductivity retains in alkali fullerides despite of the electronic correlation and presence of pseudogap.

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