Superconducting proximity effect in a van der Waals 2H-TaS2/NbSe2 heterostructure.

Superconducting proximity effect in the heterostructures opens up access to engineer superconductivity at the interface, and has inspired substantial research interest in the past decade. Here, we fabricate the van der Waals 2H-TaS₂/NbSe₂ heterostructure through the mechanical exfoliation and dry transfer technique. Enhanced superconductivity in 2H-TaS₂ flakes with increased superconducting transition temperature by about 0.8 K is observed. Such enhancement is believed to be related to the leakage of the Cooper pairs from NbSe₂ flakes to 2H-TaS₂ flakes. In addition, the critical current of the superconducting transition of NbSe₂ flakes is also increased in the heterostructures, which is related to the strengthened pairing strength of Cooper pairs in NbSe₂ flakes arising from the interfacial coupling between NbSe₂ flakes and 2H-TaS₂ flakes. Our findings will open perspectives for insight into the superconducting proximity effect in the van der Waals heterostructures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]