Mean field superconductivity approach in two dimensions: Hydrogen in Graphite

J. Supercond. Nov. Magn. 22, 439 (2009)

N. García, P. Esquinazi

Abstract

Within the BCS theory of superconductivity we calculate the superconducting gap at zero temperature for metallic hydrogen-graphene system in order to estimate the superconducting critical temperature of quasi two dimensional highly oriented pyrolytic graphite. The obtained results are given as a function of the hydrogen-induced density of carriers $n$ and their effective mass $m^\star$. The obtained gap shows a Maxwell-like distribution with a maximum of $\sim 60 $K at $n \sim 3 \times 10^{14} $cm$^{-2}$ and $m^\star/m = 1$. The theoretical results are discussed taking into account recent experimental evidence for granular superconductivity in graphite.