Transparent superconductivity in lithiated indium tin oxide thin films*

Indium tin oxide (Sn-doped In2O3; ITO) is a well-studied transparent conductor where doping can be used to stabilize a superconducting state. In this work, we use a combination of thin film deposition of ITO and soft-chemistry using n-BuLi (C4H9Li) to realize superconductivity in Li-doped ITO. Using x-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, electronic transport, and optical transmission measurements, we characterize the optical transparency and superconductivity of lithium intercalated ITO thin films. After 72 hours of lithium intercalation, we find a critical temperature, Tc, of 0.49 K and an optical transparency of at least 70% in the visible optical range–all while maintaining crystallinity.