Preparation of High-Quality Junctions on SmB<sub>6</sub> for Planar Tunneling Spectroscopy

ORAL

Abstract

Previous works have utilized planar tunneling spectroscopy to investigate the possible topological surface states in SmB6 [1,2]. When superconducting Pb is used as a counter-electrode, the tunneling conductance spectra revealed, coherence peaks with an asymmetrical temperature evolution as well as an additional peak at ~ 5 mV. These features were attributed to inelastic tunneling processes involving the emission and absorption of spin excitons [3,4]. The tunnel barrier in these reproducible junctions was formed by oxidizing the top layer of the SmB6 [1,2]. Improving the junction quality even further, would allow for measurements of the second harmonic, which may reveal additional details about the spin excitons. The preparation of high-quality junctions on SmB6 single crystals and thin films will be discussed. [1] W. K. Park et al., PNAS, 113, 6599 (2016). [2] L. Sun et al., Phys. Rev. B. 95, 195129 (2017). [3] W. T. Fuhrman et al., PRL 114, 036401 (2015). [4] G. A. Kapilevich et al., PRB 92, 085113 (2015).

*This work was supported by NSF/DMR-1704712 (FSU), NSF Cooperative Agreement No. DMR-1644779 and the State of Florida (NHMFL), NSF/DMR-0801253, DOE/BES DE-SC0019331 (EFRC: JHU-IQM). TMM acknowledges JHU Catalyst Fund.

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Presenters

  • Jennifer Sittler

    • Physics, Florida State University
    • National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Florida State University

Authors

  • Jennifer Sittler

    • Physics, Florida State University
    • National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Florida State University

  • Laura H Greene

    • Florida State University
    • Physics, Florida State University
    • National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Florida State University

  • Dae-Jeong Kim

    • Seoul National University
    • Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California- Irvine
    • Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California - Irvine

  • Zachary Fisk

    • University of California - Irvine
    • Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California Irvine
    • University of California, Irvine
    • UC Irvine
    • Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California- Irvine
    • Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California - Irvine
    • Physics and Astronomy, University of California, Irvine

  • Wesley T Fuhrman

    • Institute for Quantum Matter, Johns Hopkins University
    • Department of Physics and Astronomy, Johns Hopkins University
    • Johns Hopkins University

  • Juan Chamorro

    • Institute for Quantum Matter, Johns Hopkins University
    • Department of Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University

  • Seyed Koohpayeh

    • Johns Hopkins
    • Johns Hopkins University
    • Institute for Quantum Matter, Johns Hopkins University
    • Henry A. Rowland Department of Physics and Astronomy, Johns Hopkins University

  • William Phelan

    • Institute for Quantum Matter, Johns Hopkins University

  • Tyrel McQueen

    • Johns Hopkins University
    • Johns Hopkins Univ
    • Institute for Quantum Matter, Johns Hopkins University
    • Henry A. Rowland Department of Physics and Astronomy, Johns Hopkins University

  • Wan Kyu Park

    • Florida State University
    • Physics, Florida State University
    • National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Florida State University