Synthesis and properties of a cuprate superconductor containing double mercury-oxygen layers.

A cuprate superconductor containing double mercury layers was synthesized with a high-pressure, high-temperature technique. The compound, with chemical formula Hg(2)Ba(2)-Y1-xCaxCu(2)O(8-delta), contains a double HgO layer with structure similar to that of rock salt. The prototype compound Hg(2)Ba(2)YCu(2)O(8-delta) is an insulator. Superconductivity is induced in the system by partially replacing yttrium with calcium.