posted on 2022-08-05, 18:20authored byLeiqiang Li, Shunhong Zhang, Guojing Hu, Linhai Guo, Tong Wei, Wei Qin, Bin Xiang, Changgan Zeng, Zhenyu Zhang, Ping Cui
Two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides possessing
superconductivity
and strong spin–orbit coupling exhibit high in-plane upper
critical fields due to Ising pairing. Yet to date, whether such systems
can become topological Ising superconductors remains to be materialized.
Here we show that monolayered NbSe2 can be converted into
Ising superconductors with nontrivial band topology via physical or
chemical pressuring. Using first-principles calculations, we first
demonstrate that a hydrostatic pressure higher than 2.5 GPa can induce
a p–d band inversion, rendering
nontrivial band topology to NbSe2. We then illustrate that
Te-doping can function as chemical pressuring in inducing nontrivial
topology in NbSe2–xTex with x ≥ 0.8, due to a larger
atomic radius and stronger spin–orbit coupling of Te. We also
evaluate the upper critical fields within both approaches, confirming
the enhanced Ising superconductivity nature, as experimentally observed.
Our findings may prove to be instrumental in material realization
of topological Ising superconductivity in two-dimensional systems.