Zero-bias peaks and splitting in an Al–InAs nanowire topological superconductor as a signature of Majorana fermions

Nature Physics - Tập 8 Số 12 - Trang 887-895 - 2012
Das, Anindya1, Ronen, Yuval1, Most, Yonatan1, Oreg, Yuval1, Heiblum, Moty1, Shtrikman, Hadas1
1Department of Condensed Matter Physics, Braun Center for Submicron Research, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel

Tóm tắt

Majorana fermions are the only fermionic particles that are expected to be their own antiparticles. Although elementary particles of the Majorana type have not been identified yet, quasi-particles with Majorana-like properties, born from interacting electrons in the solid, have been predicted to exist. Here, we present thorough experimental studies, backed by numerical simulations, of a system composed of an aluminium superconductor in proximity to an indium arsenide nanowire, with the latter possessing strong spin–orbit coupling and Zeeman splitting. An induced one-dimensional topological superconductor, supporting Majorana fermions at both ends, is expected to form. We concentrate on the characteristics of a distinct zero-bias conductance peak and its splitting in energy—both appearing only with a small magnetic field applied along the wire. The zero-bias conductance peak was found to be robustly tied to the Fermi energy over a wide range of system parameters. Although not providing definite proof of a Majorana state, the presented data and the simulations support its existence. New data, backed up by simulations, support the existence of Majorana fermions in the one-dimensional topological superconductor that is induced by placing an aluminium superconductor close to an indium-arsenide nanowire.

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