Proximity-Induced Superconductivity in a Topological Crystalline Insulator

ORAL

Abstract

Inducing superconductivity at the surface of topological crystalline insulators (TCIs) can give rise to new topologically protected phases. These phases are theorized to be different than the ones observed at the surface of superconducting Z2 topological insulators. Here we report molecular beam epitaxy synthesis of a heterostructure involving a prototypical TCI SnTe and a high temperature superconductor Fe(Te,Se). Using low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy, we provide a strong evidence for proximity-induced superconductivity at the surface of a few bi-layer thick SnTe films. Our work provides a platform for investigating the emergent phenomena in superconducting TCIs.

*We gratefully acknowledge the support from the Army Research Office Grant No. W911NF-17-1-0399 and the NSF Grant No. 1654041.

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Presenters

  • Bryan Rachmilowitz

    • Boston College

Authors

  • Bryan Rachmilowitz

    • Boston College

  • He Zhao

    • Boston College

  • John Schneeloch

    • Physics, University of Virginia
    • Brookhaven National Lab
    • Brookhaven National Laboratory
    • University of Virginia

  • Ruidan Zhong

    • Brookhaven National Lab
    • Department of Chemistry, Princeton University
    • Department of Condensed Matter Physics and Materials Science, Brookhaven, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York 11973-5000, USA.
    • Brookhaven National Laboratory
    • Condensed Matter Physics & Materials Science, Brookhaven National Laboratory
    • Condensed Matter Physics and Materials Science Department, Brookhaven National Laboratory
    • Brookhaven National Laboratories

  • Genda Gu

    • Brookhaven National Laboratory
    • Brookhaven National Lab
    • Department of Condensed Matter Physics and Materials Science, Brookhaven, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York 11973-5000, USA.
    • Cond. Matt. Physics and Material Science, Brookhaven Natl Lab
    • Condensed Matter Physics and Materials Science Department, Brookhaven National Laboratory
    • Condensed Matter Physics & Materials Science Department, Brookhaven National Laboratory
    • Brookhaven National Labs, Long Island, NY, USA, 11973
    • Condensed Matter Physics & Materials Science, Brookhaven National Laboratory
    • Condensed Matter Physics, Brookhaven National Laboratory
    • Brookhaven National Laboratories
    • Chinese Academy of Sciences
    • Condensed Matter Physics & Materials Science, Brookhaven National Lab
    • Brookhaven Natl Lab

  • Ilija Zeljkovic

    • Boston College