Science· 2012Q1
Signatures of Majorana Fermions in Hybrid Superconductor-Semiconductor Nanowire Devices
- 4,201citations
- Q1SCImago
- 2012year
Short summary
Researchers observed bound, midgap states at zero bias voltage in hybrid superconductor-semiconductor nanowires, providing evidence for Majorana fermions.
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Key points
- Observed bound, midgap states at zero bias voltage in indium antimonide nanowires.
- States remained fixed despite changes in magnetic fields (around 100 millitesla) and gate voltages.
- Devices used hybrid superconductor-semiconductor architecture with gold and niobium titanium nitride electrodes.
- Findings support the hypothesis of Majorana fermions in nanowire-superconductor systems.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Abstract
Majorana fermions are particles identical to their own antiparticles. They have been theoretically predicted to exist in topological superconductors. Here, we report electrical measurements on indium antimonide nanowires contacted with one normal (gold) and one superconducting (niobium titanium nitride) electrode. Gate voltages vary electron density and define a tunnel barrier between normal and superconducting contacts. In the presence of magnetic fields on the order of 100 millitesla, we observe bound, midgap states at zero bias voltage. These bound states remain fixed to zero bias, even when magnetic fields and gate voltages are changed over considerable ranges. Our observations support the hypothesis of Majorana fermions in nanowires coupled to superconductors.
The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Science, 2012 · DOI ↗
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Field: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
Atomic and Molecular Physics, and OpticsPhysics and Astronomy