[论文解读] Unconventional superconductivity from lattice quantum disorder

Yu-Cheng Zhu, Jia-Xi Zeng+1 more|arXiv (Cornell University)|Feb 3, 2026

Organic and Molecular Conductors Research被引用 0

一句话总结

该论文显示，核量子多体效应在 H3S、D3S 和 La3Ni2O7 中诱导晶格量子无序（LQD）相，LQD 相的左边界与超导穹顶的左边缘对齐，LQD 的最大温度与穹顶的最大 Tc 相匹配，将晶格量子无序与非常规超导联系起来。

ABSTRACT

Unconventional superconductivity presents a defining and enduring challenge in condensed matter physics. Prevailing theoretical frameworks have predominantly emphasized electronic degrees of freedom, largely neglecting the rich physics inherent in the lattice. Although conventional phonon theory offers an elegant description of structural phase diagrams and lattice dynamics, its omission of nuclear quantum many-body effects results in misleading phase diagram interpretations and, consequently, an unsound foundation for superconducting theory. Here, by incorporating nuclear quantum many-body effects within first-principles calculations, we discover a lattice quantum disordered phase in superconductors H3S and La3Ni2O7. This phase occupies a triangular region in the pressure-temperature phase diagram, whose left boundary aligns precisely with Tc of the left flank of the superconducting dome. The Tcmax of this quantum disordered phase coincides with the maximum of superconducting Tc, indicating this phase as both the origin of superconductivity on the dome's left flank and a key ingredient of its pairing mechanism. Our findings advance the understanding of high-temperature superconductivity and establish the lattice quantum disordered phase as a unifying framework, both for predicting new superconductors and for elucidating phenomena in a broader context of condensed matter physics.

研究动机与目标

• 通过强调核量子效应对结构相的影响，推动对非常规超导性的晶格中心观点。
• 识别晶格量子无序（LQD）相并使用第一性原理方法绘制其 P–T 边界。
• 将 LQD 相与代表性材料中超导穹顶的左翼和最大 Tc 相联系起来。

提出的方法

• 使用路径积分分子动力学（PIMD）以包含核量子多体效应。
• 构建质心平均势能面以映射晶格自由能表面并识别 LQD 边界。
• 采用在 DFT（PBE）基础上训练的机器学习原子间势来实现可行的 PIMD 与 MD 模拟。
• 通过 MD 确定经典边界并与量子（PIMD）边界比较，以界定 LQD 区域。
• 跟踪 Γ 点的软模行为以在 P–T 空间定位相边界。

Figure 1: Lattice quantum disordered phase in $\textup{H}_{3}\textup{S}$ and $\textup{D}_{3}\textup{S}$ from first-principles calculation. a , A schematic diagram of a 1-D double-well chain, which describes the LQD phase. The nucleus on each lattice site (the ball) lies on a double-well potential (r

实验结果

研究问题

• RQ1 将核量子效应纳入后，是否能揭示高 Tc 超导体中的晶格量子无序相？
• RQ2 H3S、D3S 和 La3Ni2O7 的 LQD 相左边界是否与超导穹顶的左翼重合？
• RQ3 LQD 相的最大 Tc 是否与材料中观测到的最大 Tc 一致？
• RQ4 LQD 框架能否解释同位素效应并统一理解不同材料家族？

主要发现

• 核量子涨落稳定了晶格量子无序（LQD）相，在压强-温度相图中形成三角形区域。
• LQD 相的左边界与 H3S、D3S 和 La3Ni2O7 的超导穹顶左翼精确对齐。
• LQD 相的最大 Tc（T_c,LQD^max）与每种材料中观测到的最大 Tc（T_c,SC^max）一致。
• 左翼的超导性起源于向 LQD 相的量子序序/序无序转变。
• LQD 相的动力学超越了传统晶格声子图像，可能承载一种不同的配对机制。
• 该方法调和了同位素效应，提供了一个统一的基于晶格的非常规超导性视角。

Figure 2: Lattice quantum disordered phase in $\textup{La}_{3}\textup{Ni}_{2}\textup{O}_{7}$ from first-principles calculation. The solid symbols represent the experimental superconducting $T_{c,\textup{SC}}$ from Refs. [ 40 , 17 ] . On the left flank of the superconducting dome (below 14 GPa), $T_{