Robust zero resistance in a superconducting high-entropy alloy at pressures up to 190 GPa

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Abstract
We report the observation of extraordinarily robust zero-resistance superconductivity in the pressurized (TaNb)0.67(HfZrTi)0.33 high-entropy alloy––a material with a body-centered-cubic crystal structure made from five randomly distributed transition-metal elements. The transition to superconductivity (TC) increases from an initial temperature of 7.7 K at ambient pressure to 10 K at ∼60 GPa, and then slowly decreases to 9 K by 190.6 GPa, a pressure that falls within that of the outer core of the earth. We infer that the continuous existence of the zero-resistance superconductivity from 1 atm up to such a high pressure requires a special combination of electronic and mechanical characteristics. This high-entropy alloy superconductor thus may have a bright future for applications under extreme conditions, and also poses a challenge for understanding the underlying quantum physics. Significance High-entropy alloys (HEAs) are made from multiple transition-metal elements in equimolar or near-equimolar ratios. The elements in HEAs arrange themselves randomly on the crystallographic positions of a simple lattice. In addition to their excellent mechanical properties, one HEA has been reported to display superconductivity. In this work, we report that the Ta–Nb–Hf–Zr–Ti high-entropy alloy superconductor exhibits extraordinarily robust zero-resistance superconductivity under pressure up to 190.6 GPa. This is an observation of the zero-resistance state of a superconductor all the way from 1-bar pressure to the pressure of the earth’s outer core without structure phase transition, making the superconducting HEA a promising candidate for new application under extreme condition.
Funding Information
  • Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation (GBMF-4412)

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