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Induced unconventional superconductivity on the surface states of Bi2Te3 topological insulator

Author

Listed:
  • Sophie Charpentier

    (Chalmers University of Technology)

  • Luca Galletti

    (Chalmers University of Technology)

  • Gunta Kunakova

    (Chalmers University of Technology
    University of Latvia)

  • Riccardo Arpaia

    (Chalmers University of Technology)

  • Yuxin Song

    (Chalmers University of Technology
    Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Reza Baghdadi

    (Chalmers University of Technology)

  • Shu Min Wang

    (Chalmers University of Technology
    Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Alexei Kalaboukhov

    (Chalmers University of Technology)

  • Eva Olsson

    (Chalmers University of Technology)

  • Francesco Tafuri

    (Università di Napoli Federico II
    Innovative Materials and Devices)

  • Dmitry Golubev

    (Aalto University School of Science)

  • Jacob Linder

    (Norwegian University of Science and Technology)

  • Thilo Bauch

    (Chalmers University of Technology)

  • Floriana Lombardi

    (Chalmers University of Technology)

Abstract

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 p x + ip y 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 π 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.

Suggested Citation

  • Sophie Charpentier & Luca Galletti & Gunta Kunakova & Riccardo Arpaia & Yuxin Song & Reza Baghdadi & Shu Min Wang & Alexei Kalaboukhov & Eva Olsson & Francesco Tafuri & Dmitry Golubev & Jacob Linder &, 2017. "Induced unconventional superconductivity on the surface states of Bi2Te3 topological insulator," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 8(1), pages 1-8, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:8:y:2017:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-017-02069-z
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-02069-z
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