Andreev Reflection Spectroscopy of Nb-doped Bi$_2$Se$_3$ Topological Insulator

ORAL

Abstract

Doped topological insulators are speculated to realize p-wave superconductivity with unusual low energy quasiparticles, such as surface Andreev bound states. We present point contact spectroscopy of thin exfoliated flakes of Nb-doped Bi$_2$Se$_3$ where superconductivity persists up to $\sim$ 1 K, compared to 3.2 K in bulk crystals. The critical magnetic field is strongly anisotropic, consistent with quasi-2D behavior. Andreev reflection measurements of devices with low resistance contacts result in prominent BTK-like behavior with an enhanced conductance plateau at low bias. For high resistance contacts, we observe a split zero bias conductance anomaly and additional features at the superconducting gap. Our results suggest that this material is a promising platform for studying topological superconductivity.

*We acknowledge support from Microsoft Project Q.

Authors

  • Cihan Kurter

    • Missouri University of Science and Technology
  • A.D.K. Finck

    • University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
  • Y. Qiu

    • Missouri University of Science and Technology
  • E. Huemiller

    • University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
  • A. Weis

    • University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
  • J. Atkinson

    • University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
  • J. Medvedeva

    • Missouri University of Science and Technology
  • Y.S. Hor

    • Missouri University of Science and Technology
  • D.J. Van Harlingen

    • University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign