Superconducting order from disorder in 2H-TaSe 2− x S x

Abstract

Abstract We report on the emergence of robust superconducting order in single crystal alloys of TaSe 2 − x S x (0 ≤ × ≤ 2). The critical temperature of the alloy is surprisingly higher than that of the two end compounds TaSe 2 and TaS 2 . The evolution of superconducting critical temperature T c ( x ) correlates with the full width at half maximum of the Bragg peaks and with the linear term of the high-temperature resistivity. The conductivity of the crystals near the middle of the alloy series is higher or similar than that of either one of the end members 2H-TaSe 2 and/or 2H-TaS 2 . It is known that in these materials superconductivity is in close competition with charge density wave order. We interpret our experimental findings in a picture where disorder tilts this balance in favor of superconductivity by destroying the charge density wave order.