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Superconducting proximity effect and possible evidence for Pearl vortices in a candidate topological insulator

Duming Zhang, Jian Wang, Ashley M. DaSilva, Joon Sue Lee, Humberto R. Gutierrez, Moses H. W. Chan, Jainendra Jain, and Nitin Samarth
Phys. Rev. B 84, 165120 – Published 24 October 2011

Abstract

We report the observation of the superconducting proximity effect in nanoribbons of a candidate topological insulator (Bi2Se3), which is interfaced with superconducting (tungsten) contacts. We observe a supercurrent and multiple Andreev reflections for channel lengths that are much longer than the inelastic and diffusive thermal lengths deduced from normal-state transport. This suggests that the proximity effect couples preferentially to a ballistic surface transport channel, even in the presence of a coexisting diffusive bulk channel. When a magnetic field is applied perpendicular to the plane of the nanoribbon, we observe magnetoresistance oscillations that are periodic in magnetic field. Quantitative comparison with a model of vortex blockade relates the occurrence of these oscillations to the formation of Pearl vortices in the region of proximity-induced superconductivity.

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  • Received 17 June 2011

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.84.165120

©2011 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Duming Zhang, Jian Wang, Ashley M. DaSilva, Joon Sue Lee, Humberto R. Gutierrez, Moses H. W. Chan, Jainendra Jain, and Nitin Samarth*

  • The Center for Nanoscale Science and Department of Physics, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802-6300, USA

  • *nsamarth@psu.edu

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Issue

Vol. 84, Iss. 16 — 15 October 2011

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