1. Synthesis of Superconductor-Topological Insulator Hybrid Nanoribbon Structures.
- Author
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Schönherr, Piet, Zhang, Fengyu, Srot, Vesna, van Aken, Peter, and Hesjedal, Thorsten
- Subjects
CHEMISTRY of superconductors ,NANORIBBONS ,CHEMICAL synthesis ,NANOSTRUCTURES ,METAL nanoparticles ,QUANTUM states - Abstract
Superconductors in proximity to topological insulators (TIs) have the potential to unlock exotic quantum phenomena, such as Majorana fermions. Quasi-one-dimensional structures are particularly suited to host these quantum states. Despite the growth of TI nanostructures being relatively straightforward, the in situ synthesis of superconductor-TI structures has been challenging. Here, we present a systematic study of the growth of the s-wave superconductor Sn on the TI Bi
2 Te3 by physical vapor transport. If Sn does not enter the Bi2 Te3 lattice as a dopant, two types of structures are formed: Sn nanoparticles, that cover Bi2 Te3 plates and belts in a cloud-like shape, and thin Sn layers on Bi2 Te3 plates, that appear in puddle-like recessions. These heterostructures have potential applications as novel quantum devices. The in-situ synthesis of superconductor-topological insulator (TI) heterostructures has been challenging. Here, for the first time, a study of the growth of the s-wave superconductor Sn on the TI Bi2 Te3 by physical vapor transport was presented. Three different growth scenarios were observed: (1) Sn-decorated Bi2 Te3 , (2) local Sn-rich areas on Bi2 Te3 plates, and (3) Sn-doped Bi2 Te3 . The different growth regimes are controlled by the Sn precursor quantity, carrier gas flux, and growth time. Each type has its specific application potentials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2017
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