Presentation description

Superconductors are materials with the unique properties of zero DC electrical resistance and perfect diamagnetism. Due to these properties, these materials are of great interest. However, the operating conditions of superconductors currently are limited to either very low temperatures or high pressures which limits their applications. The goal of this research is to provide a comprehensive metric to analyze properties of superconductors which allows reliable measurements and help develop and test universal theoretical models for superconductivity. Pressure is a powerful tool for understanding the theoretical mechanism of superconductors, as pressure strongly influences the point at which samples become superconductive. Unfortunately, pressurization can lead to technical complications and confuscations that can result in misinterpretation of and failure of experimentation. For this work we present methods for the optimization and construction Four-Probe Electrical Resistivity, AC Magnetic Susceptibility, and Raman Spectroscopy systems to provide solid metrics to further research, with a specific emphasis on Raman Spectroscopy. Optical measurements circumvent the mechanical problems of pressurization and provide an opportunity to measure with fine precision. Raman spectroscopy stands as a unique tool to probe the properties of a sample, as superconductors possess a unique electrical gap that can be measured using Raman spectroscopy. Due to the small size of the sample and geometric constraints that limit the optical access in high pressure and low temperature experiments, these studies are far more difficult than those performed at ambient pressure. In this work we present the methods for optimization and construction of these individual systems. Future work will involve the collaboration of multiple measurements in tandem to solidify the confidence in individual measurements, and will provide new insight into the true mechanics of superconductivity.