Bulk superconductivity and non-trivial band topology analysis of Pb2Pd

Abstract

Abstract In this article, we report single crystal growth of superconducting binary compound Pb2Pd. The crystal is well characterized through x-ray diffraction, selected area electron diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The bulk superconducting nature of the synthesized crystal is determined through AC susceptibility and magneto-heat capacity measurements. The specific heat jump at superconducting transition suggests Pb2Pd to be a moderately coupled s-wave superconductor. The topological non-trivial character of Pb2Pd is evidenced through bulk electronic band structure and Z2 invariants, which are calculated under the protocols of density functional theory. Surface states spectrum of Pb2Pd is also studied, which further claims Pb2Pd to have topological non-trivial band structure.