Discovery of a Cooper-pair density wave state in a transition-metal dichalcogenide
Xiaolong Liu, Yi Xue Chong, Rahul Sharma, J. C. Séamus Davis
Abstract
Imaging an exotic state Among the most intriguing of the many phases of cuprate superconductors is the so-called pair density wave (PDW) state. PDW is characterized by a spatially modulated density of Cooper pairs and can be detected with a scanning tunneling microscope equipped with a superconducting tip. Liu et al. used Josephson tunneling microscopy, modified for the task, to detect PDW in niobium diselenide, a superconductor with a layered hexagonal structure. The PDW state is expected to appear in other transition metal dichalcogenides as well. Science , abd4607, this issue p. 1447
Topics & Concepts
SuperconductivityCondensed matter physicsCuprateScanning tunneling microscopeNiobiumQuantum tunnellingJosephson effectCooper pairHexagonal crystal systemDensity of statesPhysicsMaterials scienceScanning tunneling spectroscopyDensity wave theoryTunnel effectTransition metalMetalHigh-temperature superconductivityProximity effect (electron beam lithography)State (computer science)Local density of statesMicroscopeCharge density waveSpin polarized scanning tunneling microscopyPi Josephson junctionTransition temperatureWave function2D Materials and ApplicationsOrganic and Molecular Conductors ResearchIron-based superconductors research