Possible Topological Superconductivity in a Topological Crystalline Insulator (Pb$_{1-x}$Sn$_x$)$_{1-y}$In$_y$Te

Abstract: Superconductivity in topological insulators is expected to show very unconventional features such as $p+ip$ order parameter, Majorana fermions etc. However, the intrinsic superconductivity has been observed in a very limited number of materials in which the pairing symmetry is still a matter of debate. Here, we study the topological crystalline insulator (Pb${1-x}$Sn$_x$)${1-y}$In$y$Te, where a peculiar insulator to superconductor transition was previously reported near the gap inversion transition, when the system is nearly a 3-dimensional Dirac semimetal. Both the existence of superconductivity near the 3-dimensional Dirac semimetal and the occurrence of insulator to superconductor transition in an isotropic material is highly unusual. We suggest that the observed phenomena are related to an intrinsic instability of a 3-dimensional Dirac semimetal state in (Pb${1-x}$Sn$x$)${1-y}$In$_y$Te and "flattening" of the bulk valence and conduction bands as they acquire a Mexican hat-like dispersion on the inverted side of the phase diagram. This favors the pairing instability if the chemical potential is pinned to these flat regions.