SUPERCONDUCTIVITY OF WC IN THE NACL-TYPE STRUCTURE UNDER PRESSURE

Here we report the theoretical calculations of band structure and supe rconductivity of WC in the NaCl-type structure. The effect of pressure on the band structure is obtained using the linear muffin-tin orbital method. The superconducting transition temperature is calculated usin g McMillan's formula. The value of T(c) at ambient conditions is 5.98 K which increases on compression. The increase iii T(c) values with pr essure may be due to continuous transfer of s electrons from the carbo n site to d states of the tungsten site. The calculated value of T(c) at ambient pressure and the positive pressure coefficient of T(c) are in agreement with other transition metal carbides and nitrides.