Massive Suppression of Proximity Pairing in Topological (Bi1-xSbx)2Te3 Films on Niobium

Joseph A. Hlevyack, Joseph A. Hlevyack, Sahand Najafzadeh, Meng Kai Lin, Meng Kai Lin, Takahiro Hashimoto, Tsubaki Nagashima, Akihiro Tsuzuki, Akiko Fukushima, Cédric Bareille, Yang Bai, Yang Bai, Peng Chen, Peng Chen, Peng Chen, Peng Chen, Ro Ya Liu, Ro Ya Liu, Ro Ya Liu, Yao LiYao Li, David Flötotto, José Avila, James N. Eckstein, Shik Shin, Kozo Okazaki, T. C. Chiang, T. C. Chiang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Interfacing bulk conducting topological Bi2Se3 films with s-wave superconductors initiates strong superconducting order in the nontrivial surface states. However, bulk insulating topological (Bi1-xSbx)2Te3 films on bulk Nb instead exhibit a giant attenuation of surface superconductivity, even for films only two layers thick. This massive suppression of proximity pairing is evidenced by ultrahigh-resolution band mappings and by contrasting quantified superconducting gaps with those of heavily n-doped topological Bi2Se3/Nb. The results underscore the limitations of using superconducting proximity effects to realize topological superconductivity in nearly intrinsic systems.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number236402
JournalPhysical review letters
Volume124
Issue number23
Early online dateJun 12 2020
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 12 2020
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Physics and Astronomy

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