Superconductivity in High-Entropy Alloy System Containing Tb

Superconducting alloy containing terbium (Tb) and its reference without the lanthanide were synthesized. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, specific heat, and magnetic measurements were used to investigate their structural and physical properties. Both alloys crystallized in body-centered cubic structure, and the presence of small amounts of Tb and Tb₂O₃ phases was detected. The critical temperature Tc of alloys was in the 4.6-5.2 K range, and the upper critical field μ0Hc2 was 6.1-6.8 T. The comparison with the reference determined the effect of Tb on the alloy's critical parameters and phase stability connected to the high-entropy alloys' core effects. Overall, Tb addition did not have a beneficial effect on the superconducting properties of this alloy.