Tuning superconductivity by carrier injection

We have found that by extensive current injection along the c-axis, the superconducting properties of Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ can be changed effectively. We show that critical temperature, c-axis resistivity, and critical current of intrinsic Josephson junctions can be tuned in a large range from underdoping to extreme overdoping. This effect is reversible and persistent. Our results can be explained by trapping charges in the insulating layers, which induce a change of carrier concentration in superconducting planes. This floating gate concept can be a general property of layered materials where the insulating charge reservoir layers are separated from the conducting planes.