Zero-bias peaks at zero magnetic field in ferromagnetic hybrid nanowires
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Zero-bias peaks at zero magnetic field in ferromagnetic hybrid nanowires. / Vaitiekenas, S.; Liu, Y.; Krogstrup, P.; Marcus, C. M.
In: Nature Physics, 22.09.2020.Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Zero-bias peaks at zero magnetic field in ferromagnetic hybrid nanowires
AU - Vaitiekenas, S.
AU - Liu, Y.
AU - Krogstrup, P.
AU - Marcus, C. M.
PY - 2020/9/22
Y1 - 2020/9/22
N2 - Hybrid quantum materials allow for quantum phases that otherwise do not exist in nature(1,2). For example, a one-dimensional topological superconductor with Majorana states bound to its ends can be realized by coupling a semiconductor nanowire to a superconductor in the presence of a strong magnetic field(3-5). However, the applied magnetic fields are detrimental to superconductivity, and constrain device layout, components, materials, fabrication and operation(6). Early on, an alternative source of Zeeman coupling that circumvents these constraints-using a ferromagnetic insulator instead of an applied field-was proposed theoretically(7). Here, we report transport measurements in hybrid nanowires using epitaxial layers of superconducting Al and the ferromagnetic insulator EuS on semiconducting InAs nanowires. We infer a remanent effective Zeeman field exceeding 1 T and observe stable zero-bias conductance peaks in bias spectroscopy at zero applied field, consistent with topological superconductivity. Hysteretic spectral features in applied magnetic field support this picture.By incorporating a ferromagnetic layer in their superconductor-semiconductor nanowire hybrid device, Vaitiekenas et al. show that zero-bias peaks-potential Majorana bound states-can be induced without an external magnetic field.
AB - Hybrid quantum materials allow for quantum phases that otherwise do not exist in nature(1,2). For example, a one-dimensional topological superconductor with Majorana states bound to its ends can be realized by coupling a semiconductor nanowire to a superconductor in the presence of a strong magnetic field(3-5). However, the applied magnetic fields are detrimental to superconductivity, and constrain device layout, components, materials, fabrication and operation(6). Early on, an alternative source of Zeeman coupling that circumvents these constraints-using a ferromagnetic insulator instead of an applied field-was proposed theoretically(7). Here, we report transport measurements in hybrid nanowires using epitaxial layers of superconducting Al and the ferromagnetic insulator EuS on semiconducting InAs nanowires. We infer a remanent effective Zeeman field exceeding 1 T and observe stable zero-bias conductance peaks in bias spectroscopy at zero applied field, consistent with topological superconductivity. Hysteretic spectral features in applied magnetic field support this picture.By incorporating a ferromagnetic layer in their superconductor-semiconductor nanowire hybrid device, Vaitiekenas et al. show that zero-bias peaks-potential Majorana bound states-can be induced without an external magnetic field.
KW - SUPERCONDUCTOR
KW - STATES
U2 - 10.1038/s41567-020-1017-3
DO - 10.1038/s41567-020-1017-3
M3 - Journal article
JO - Nature Physics
JF - Nature Physics
SN - 1745-2473
ER -
ID: 248807562