Pressure-driven dome-shaped superconductivity in bilayer nickelate La₃Ni₂O₇

Here we report a comprehensive study of the crystal structure, resistivity, and ac magnetic susceptibility in single crystals of La₃Ni₂O₇, with a hydrostatic pressure up to 104 GPa. X-ray diffraction measurements reveal a bilayer orthorhombic structure (space group $Amam$) at ambient pressure and a transformation into a tetragonal phase (space group $I4/mmm$) at a critical pressure of ~14 GPa. The transport measurements reveal a dome-shaped superconducting region with a maximum Tc of 83 K at 18.0 GPa. The superconductivity is gradually suppressed when applying a higher pressure, but it can persist up to 90 GPa. Importantly, from our high-pressure $ac$ magnetic susceptibility measurements, the estimated maximum superconducting volume fraction is 48$%$ at 19.4 GPa. Thus, we demonstrate the bulk nature of superconductivity in the bilayer nickelate La₃Ni₂O₇ under high pressure. The intimate connection among the superconductivity, the oxygen content, and the tetragonal structure are discussed.