Superconductivity of BaLi4 under pressure

We studied the pressure-induced superconductivity of BaLi4 up to 53 GPa by means of electrical resistivity in a diamond anvil cell. Superconductivity in BaLi4 is first observed at a pressure of 5.4 GPa with a superconducting critical temperature (Tc) of 4.5 K. Below 2 GPa, superconductivity is not observed above the minimum temperature achievable in the current study, 2 K. Between 5.4 and 12 GPa, the Tc increases steeply to its maximum value of 7 K. Above 12 GPa, the pressure dependence of Tc is complex and the sign of dTc/dP changes several times in going up to the maximum pressure studied, of 53 GPa. (paper)