Proximity-induced superconductivity in a topological crystalline insulator

Superconducting topological crystalline insulators (TCIs) are predicted to host new topological phases protected by crystalline symmetries, but available materials are insufficiently suitable for surface studies. To induce superconductivity at the surface of a prototypical TCI SnTe, we use molecular...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Physical review. B 2019-12, Vol.100 (24), p.1, Article 241402
Main Authors: Rachmilowitz, Bryan, Zhao, He, Li, Hong, LaFleur, Alexander, Schneeloch, J., Zhong, Ruidan, Gu, Genda, Zeljkovic, Ilija
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND SUPERFLUIDITY
Crystal structure
Crystallinity
Epitaxial growth
Heterostructures
Insulators
Low temperature
Molecular beam epitaxy
Superconductivity
Tellurium
Temperature dependence
Tin tellurides
Topology
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Summary:Superconducting topological crystalline insulators (TCIs) are predicted to host new topological phases protected by crystalline symmetries, but available materials are insufficiently suitable for surface studies. To induce superconductivity at the surface of a prototypical TCI SnTe, we use molecular beam epitaxy to grow a heterostructure of SnTe and a highTc superconductor Fe(Te,Se), utilizing a "buffer" layer to bridge the large lattice mismatch between SnTe and Fe(Te,Se). Using low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy, we measure a prominent spectral gap on the surface of SnTe, and demonstrate its superconducting origin by its dependence on temperature and magnetic field. Our work provides a platform for atomic-scale investigations of emergent topological phenomena in superconducting TCIs.
ISSN:2469-9950
2469-9969
DOI:10.1103/PhysRevB.100.241402