Record-High Superconductivity in Transition Metal Dichalcogenides Emerged in Compressed 2H-TaS2.

ABSTRACT

Pressure has always been an effective method for uncovering novel phenomena and properties in condensed matter physics. Here, an electrical transport study is carried on 2H-TaS2 up to ≈208 GPa, and an unexpected superconducting state (SC-II) emerging around 86.1 GPa with an initial critical temperature (Tc ) of 9.6 K is found. As pressure increases, the Tc enhances rapidly and reaches a maximum of 16.4 K at 157.4 GPa, which sets a new record for transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs). The original superconducting state (SC-I) is found to be re-enhanced above 100 GPa after the recession around 10 GPa, and coexists with SC-II to the highest pressure applied in this work. In situ high-pressure X-ray diffraction and Hall effect measurements reveal that the occurrence of SC-II is accompanied by a structural modification and a concurrent enhancement of hole carrier density. The new high-Tc superconducting state in 2H-TaS2 can be attributed to the change of the electronic states near the Fermi surface, owing to pressure-induced interlayer modulation. It is the first time finding this remarkable superconducting state in TMDs, which not only brings a new broad of perspective on layered materials but also expands the field of pressure-modified superconductivity.