We present the crystallographic analysis, superconducting characterization and theoretical modeling of LiBi, that contains the lightest and the heaviest nonradioactive metal. The compound crystallizes in a tetragonal (CuAu-type) crystal structure with Bi square nets separated by Li planes (parameters a = 3.3636(1) Å and c = 4.2459(2) Å, c/a = 1.26). Superconducting state was studied in detail by magnetic susceptibility and heat capacity measurements. The results reveal that LiBi is a moderately coupled type-I superconductor (λ_e-p = 0.66) with T_c = 2.48 K and a thermodynamic critical field H_c(0) = 157 Oe. Theoretical studies show that bismuth square net is responsible for superconductivity in this compound, but the coupling between the Li planes and Bi planes makes a significant contribution to the superconductivity.

中文翻译：

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LiBi的Bi平方网上的超导

我们介绍了LiBi的晶体学分析，超导表征和理论模型，LiBi包含最轻和最重的非放射性金属。该化合物以具有由Li平面隔开的Bi方形网的四方（CuAu型）晶体结构结晶（参数a = 3.3636（1）Å和c = 4.2459（2）Å，c / a = 1.26）。通过磁化率和热容测量详细研究了超导状态。结果表明，LiBi是中等耦合的I型超导体（λe _-p = 0.66），T _c = 2.48 K，热力学临界场H _c（0）= 157 Oe。理论研究表明，铋方网是该化合物的超导性原因，但Li平面和Bi平面之间的耦合对超导性有重大贡献。