Probing the Superconducting Proximity Effect in a Topological Insulator Using Scanning Tunneling Microscopy

ORAL

Abstract

Topological insulators (TI) embody a new state of quantum matter characterized by topological invariants; this contrasts with superconductors (S), as superconductivity arises from a spontaneously broken symmetry of the underlying electron system. When a superconductor is placed on the surface of a topological insulator, the behavior of the superconducting condensate across the S/TI interface offers the opportunity to study the interplay between these two distant quantum states. In this talk, we present cryogenic Scanning Tunneling Microscopy measurements to probe the local density of states in proximity to Pb/Bi2Se3 interfaces.

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Authors

  • Ian Dayton

    Department of Physics \& Astronomy, Michigan State University

  • Matthias Muenks

    Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research

  • Eric Goodwin

    Department of Physics \& Astronomy, Michigan State University

  • Duck Young Chung

    Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne Natl Lab, Materials Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory

  • Alex Levchenko

    Department of Physics and Astronomy, Michigan State University, Department of Physics \& Astronomy, Michigan State University, Michigan State University, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI

  • Mercouri Kanatzidis

    Northwestern University, Argonne Natl Lab, Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University

  • Stuart Tessmer

    Department of Physics \& Astronomy, Michigan State University