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An unusual continuous paramagnetic-limited superconducting phase transition in 2D NbSe2

Cornell Affiliated Author(s)

Author

E. Sohn
X. Xi
W.-Y. He
S. Jiang
Z. Wang
K. Kang
J.-H. Park
H. Berger
L. Forró
K.T. Law
J. Shan
K.F. Mak

Abstract

Time reversal and spatial inversion are two key symmetries for conventional Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer (BCS) superconductivity1. Breaking inversion symmetry can lead to mixed-parity Cooper pairing and unconventional superconducting properties1-5. Two-dimensional (2D) NbSe2 has emerged as a new non-centrosymmetric superconductor with the unique out-of-plane or Ising spin-orbit coupling (SOC)6-9. Here we report the observation of an unusual continuous paramagnetic-limited superconductor-normal metal transition in 2D NbSe2. Using tunelling spectroscopy under high in-plane magnetic fields, we observe a continuous closing of the superconducting gap at the upper critical field at low temperatures, in stark contrast to the abrupt first-order transition observed in BCS thin-film superconductors10-12. The paramagnetic-limited continuous transition arises from a large spin susceptibility of the superconducting phase due to the Ising SOC. The result is further supported by self-consistent mean-field calculations based on the ab initio band structure of 2D NbSe2. Our findings establish 2D NbSe2 as a promising platform to explore novel spin-dependent superconducting phenomena and device concepts1, such as equal-spin Andreev reflection13 and topological superconductivity14-16. © 2018 The Author(s).

Date Published

Journal

Nature Materials

Volume

17

Issue

6

Number of Pages

504-508,

URL

https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85046090144&doi=10.1038%2fs41563-018-0061-1&partnerID=40&md5=e37b3bcc7d4decbc70e02b5383a9e904

DOI

10.1038/s41563-018-0061-1

Group (Lab)

Jie Shan Group
Kin Fai Mak Group

Funding Source

DESC0013883
1645901
DMR-1644779
W911NF-17-1-0605
DMR-1410407
DMR-1420451
DMR-1645901
16324216
C6026-16W
HKUST3/CRF/13G

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