paper

Induced unconventional superconductivity on the surface states of BiTe topological insulator

arXiv:1805.02092 · doi:10.1038/s41467-017-02069-z

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 + i wave term. Here we present phase-sensitive measurements, based on the quantum interference in nanoscale Josephson junctions, realized by using BiTe topological insulator. We demonstrate that the induced superconductivity is unconventional and consistent with a sign-changing order parameter, such as a chiral + i 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 coupling within the junction, inherent to a non trivial order parameter phase. The nano-textured morphology of the BiTe flakes, and the dramatic role played by thermal strain are the surprising key factors for the display of an unconventional induced order parameter.

arXiv comment47 pages, 7 figures in the main text and 12 figures in the supplementary material

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