Selective-Area-Grown PbTe-Pb Planar Josephson Junctions for Quantum Devices.

Li, Ruidong; Song, Wenyu; Miao, Wentao; Yu, Zehao; Wang, Zhaoyu; Yang, Shuai; Gao, Yichun; Wang, Yuhao et al. · Nano Lett · 2024

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Planar Josephson junctions are predicted to host Majorana zero modes. The material platforms in previous studies are two-dimensional electron gases (InAs, InSb, InAsSb, and HgTe) coupled to a superconductor such as Al or Nb. Here, we introduce a new material platform for planar JJs, the PbTe-Pb hybrid. The semiconductor, PbTe, was grown as a thin film via selective area epitaxy. The Josephson junction was defined by a shadow wall during the deposition of superconductor Pb. Scanning transmission electron microscopy reveals a sharp semiconductor-superconductor interface. Gate-tunable supercurrents and multiple Andreev reflections are observed. A perpendicular magnetic field causes interference patterns of the switching current, exhibiting Fraunhofer-like and SQUID-like behaviors. We further demonstrate a prototype device for Majorana detection wherein phase bias and tunneling spectroscopy are applicable.