Superconductivity in Chemically Doped Type-II Weyl Semimetal

Manasi Mandal | Ravi Prakash Singh

Experimental realization of superconductivity in intrinsic topological semimetals is rare, and currently, existing systems are hindered for practical use by the low transition temperature. Therefore, a great deal of interest is in enhancing the active temperature range for the topological materials. The discovery of superconductivity in layered transition metal dichalcogenides offers a fascinating opportunity to explore superconductivity and possible topological states by tuning the local structural distortion or manipulating chemical pressure. We have studied the exotic type-II Weyl semimetal MoTe2 system by chemical doping. Re/Ir substitution in Mo-site in MoTe2 is doping electrons and facilitates superconductivity by increasing the electron-phonon coupling and density of states at the Fermi level. Chiral anomaly induced planar Hall effect and anisotropic magneto-resistance confirm the topological semimetallic nature of Mo1−xIrxTe2. Observation of moderately coupled type-II superconductivity in Td-Mo1−x(Ir/Re)xTe2 makes it a promising candidate for a topological superconductor. Therefore, our findings of superconductivity by chemically doping in Weyl semimetal extend the territory for exploring unconventional superconductors with possible topological states.

Funding Sources: Department of Energy U.S.