Epitaxial growth of gold films on the elemental superconductors V(100), Nb(100), and Nb(110)

Gold films deposited on superconducting materials such as vanadium and niobium can acquire superconducting properties through the proximity effect. Upon annealing, these films grow flat and free of oxygen contamination. Moreover, they can host molecules without suppressing their magnetic states, allowing for a novel approach to explore the interplay between molecular magnetism and superconductivity. This makes them a highly promising and versatile platform for integrating superconductivity and magnetism in future quantum devices, particularly in systems that benefit from strong spin-orbit coupling and molecular-level control.