Critical role of substrate in the high temperature superconductivity of single layer FeSe on Nb:BaTiO₃

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In the quest for high temperature superconductors, the interface between a metal and a dielectric was proposed to possibly achieve very high superconducting transition temperature (Tc) through interface-assisted pairing. Recently, in single layer FeSe (SLF) films grown on SrTiO₃ substrates, signs for Tc up to 65 K have been reported. However, besides doping electrons and imposing strain, whether and how the substrate facilitates the superconductivity are still unclear. Here we report the growth of various SLF films on thick BaTiO₃ films atop KTaO₃ substrates, with signs for Tc up to 75 K, close to the liquid nitrogen boiling temperature. SLF of similar doping and lattice is found to exhibit high Tc only if it is on the substrate, and its band structure strongly depends on the substrate. Our results highlight the profound role of substrate on the high-Tc in SLF, and provide new clues for understanding its mechanism.