Induced unconventional superconductivity on the surface states of Bi2Te3 topological insulator
Journal article, 2017
Topological superconductivity is central to a variety of novel phenomena involving the interplay between topologically ordered phases and broken-symmetry states. The key ingredient is an unconventional order parameter, with an orbital component containing a chiral p(x) + ip(y) wave term. Here we present phase-sensitive measurements, based on the quantum interference in nanoscale Josephson junctions, realized by using Bi2Te3 topological insulator. We demonstrate that the induced superconductivity is unconventional and consistent with a sign-changing order parameter, such as a chiral px + ipy component. The magnetic field pattern of the junctions shows a dip at zero externally applied magnetic field, which is an incontrovertible signature of the simultaneous existence of 0 and pi coupling within the junction, inherent to a non trivial order parameter phase. The nano-textured morphology of the Bi2Te3 flakes, and the dramatic role played by thermal strain are the surprising key factors for the display of an unconventional induced order parameter.
bi2se3
symmetry
strain
edge
junctions
thin-films
Author
Sophie Charpentier
Chalmers, Microtechnology and Nanoscience (MC2), Quantum Device Physics
luca galletti
Chalmers, Microtechnology and Nanoscience (MC2), Quantum Device Physics
Gunta Kunakova
Chalmers, Microtechnology and Nanoscience (MC2), Quantum Device Physics
Riccardo Arpaia
Chalmers, Microtechnology and Nanoscience (MC2), Quantum Device Physics
Yuxin Song
Chalmers, Microtechnology and Nanoscience (MC2), Photonics
Reza Baghdadi
Chalmers, Microtechnology and Nanoscience (MC2), Quantum Device Physics
Shu Min Wang
Chalmers, Microtechnology and Nanoscience (MC2), Photonics
Alexei Kalaboukhov
Chalmers, Microtechnology and Nanoscience (MC2), Quantum Device Physics
Eva Olsson
Chalmers, Physics, Eva Olsson Group
Francesco Tafuri
Superconductors, oxides and other innovative materials and devices
University of Naples Federico II
Dmitry Golubev
Aalto University
Jacob Linder
Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)
Thilo Bauch
Chalmers, Microtechnology and Nanoscience (MC2), Quantum Device Physics
Floriana Lombardi
Chalmers, Microtechnology and Nanoscience (MC2), Quantum Device Physics
Nature Communications
2041-1723 (ISSN) 20411723 (eISSN)
Vol. 8 1 2019Subject Categories
Physical Sciences
Condensed Matter Physics
DOI
10.1038/s41467-017-02069-z
PubMed
29222507