Superconductivity induced at a point contact on the topological semimetal tungsten carbide

We report the observation of local superconductivity induced at the point contact formed between a normal metal tip and tungsten carbide-a triple point topological semimetal with superhardness. Remarkably, the maximum critical temperature is up to near 12 K but insensitive to the tip's magnetism. The lateral dimensions of the superconducting puddles were evaluated and the temperature dependencies of the superconducting gap and upper critical field were also obtained. These results put constraints on the explanation of the induced superconductivity and pave a pathway for exploring topological superconductivity.