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Drive the Dirac electrons into Cooper pairs in SrxBi2Se3

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  • Guan Du

    (Nanjing University)

  • Jifeng Shao

    (High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Chinese Academy of Sciences and University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Xiong Yang

    (Nanjing University)

  • Zengyi Du

    (Nanjing University)

  • Delong Fang

    (Nanjing University)

  • Jinghui Wang

    (Nanjing University)

  • Kejing Ran

    (Nanjing University)

  • Jinsheng Wen

    (Nanjing University
    Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University)

  • Changjin Zhang

    (High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Chinese Academy of Sciences and University of Science and Technology of China
    Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University)

  • Huan Yang

    (Nanjing University
    Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University)

  • Yuheng Zhang

    (High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Chinese Academy of Sciences and University of Science and Technology of China
    Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University)

  • Hai-Hu Wen

    (Nanjing University
    Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University)

Abstract

Topological superconductors are a very interesting and frontier topic in condensed matter physics. Despite the tremendous efforts in exploring topological superconductivity, its presence is however still under heavy debate. The Dirac electrons have been proven to exist on the surface of a topological insulator. It remains unclear whether and how the Dirac electrons fall into Cooper pairing in an intrinsic superconductor with the topological surface states. Here we show the systematic study of scanning tunnelling microscope/spectroscopy on the possible topological superconductor SrxBi2Se3. We first demonstrate that only the intercalated Sr atoms can induce superconductivity. Then we show the full superconducting gaps without any in-gap density of states as expected theoretically for a bulk topological superconductor. Finally, we find that the surface Dirac electrons will simultaneously condense into the superconducting state within the superconducting gap. This vividly demonstrates how the surface Dirac electrons are driven into Cooper pairs.

Suggested Citation

  • Guan Du & Jifeng Shao & Xiong Yang & Zengyi Du & Delong Fang & Jinghui Wang & Kejing Ran & Jinsheng Wen & Changjin Zhang & Huan Yang & Yuheng Zhang & Hai-Hu Wen, 2017. "Drive the Dirac electrons into Cooper pairs in SrxBi2Se3," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 8(1), pages 1-9, April.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:8:y:2017:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms14466
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms14466
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