Large negative magnetoresistance and pseudogap phase in superconducting A15-type La$_4$H$_{23}$ (2307.13067v3)

Abstract: High pressure plays a crucial role in the field of superconductivity. Compressed hydride superconductors are leaders in the race for a material that can conduct electricity without resistance at high or even room temperature. In the present work, we have discovered new lanthanum superhydride, cubic A15-type La$4$H${23}$, with lower stabilization pressure compared to the reported $\textit{fcc}$ LaH${10}$. Superconducting La$_4$H${23}$ was obtained by laser heating of LaH$3$ with ammonia borane at about 120 GPa. Transport measurements reveal the maximum critical temperature $\textit{T}$${C}$(onset) = 105 K and the critical field $\textit{H}$${C2}$(0) = 32 T at 118 GPa, as evidenced by the sharp drop of electrical resistance and the displacement of superconducting transitions in applied magnetic fields. Moreover, we provide evidence for unconventional transport associated with a pseudogap phase in La$_4$H${23}$ using pulsed magnetic fields up to 68 T. A large negative magnetoresistance in the non-superconducting state below 40 K, quasi $\textit{T}$-linear electrical resistance, and a sign-change of its temperature dependence mark the emergence of pseudogap in this hydride. Discovered lanthanum hydride is a new member of the A15 family of superconductors with $\textit{T}$$_C$ exceeding the boiling point of liquid nitrogen.