4π-periodic Josephson supercurrent in HgTe-based topological Josephson junctions

J. Wiedenmann, E. Bocquillon (), R. S. Deacon, S. Hartinger, O. Herrmann, T. M. Klapwijk, L. Maier, C. Ames, C. Brüne, C. Gould, A. Oiwa, K. Ishibashi, S. Tarucha, H. Buhmann and L. W. Molenkamp
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J. Wiedenmann: Physikalisches Institut (EP3), Universität Würzburg
E. Bocquillon: Physikalisches Institut (EP3), Universität Würzburg
R. S. Deacon: Advanced Device Laboratory, RIKEN
S. Hartinger: Physikalisches Institut (EP3), Universität Würzburg
O. Herrmann: Physikalisches Institut (EP3), Universität Würzburg
T. M. Klapwijk: Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology
L. Maier: Physikalisches Institut (EP3), Universität Würzburg
C. Ames: Physikalisches Institut (EP3), Universität Würzburg
C. Brüne: Physikalisches Institut (EP3), Universität Würzburg
C. Gould: Physikalisches Institut (EP3), Universität Würzburg
A. Oiwa: The Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research, Osaka University 8-1 Mihogaoka
K. Ishibashi: Advanced Device Laboratory, RIKEN
S. Tarucha: Center for Emergent Matter Science, RIKEN
H. Buhmann: Physikalisches Institut (EP3), Universität Würzburg
L. W. Molenkamp: Physikalisches Institut (EP3), Universität Würzburg

Nature Communications, 2016, vol. 7, issue 1, 1-7

Abstract: Abstract The Josephson effect describes the generic appearance of a supercurrent in a weak link between two superconductors. Its exact physical nature deeply influences the properties of the supercurrent. In recent years, considerable efforts have focused on the coupling of superconductors to the surface states of a three-dimensional topological insulator. In such a material, an unconventional induced p-wave superconductivity should occur, with a doublet of topologically protected gapless Andreev bound states, whose energies vary 4π-periodically with the superconducting phase difference across the junction. In this article, we report the observation of an anomalous response to rf irradiation in a Josephson junction made of a HgTe weak link. The response is understood as due to a 4π-periodic contribution to the supercurrent, and its amplitude is compatible with the expected contribution of a gapless Andreev doublet. Our work opens the way to more elaborate experiments to investigate the induced superconductivity in a three-dimensional insulator.

Date: 2016
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms10303

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