Abstract
Superconductor-topological insulator (SC-TI) heterostructures were proposed to be a possible platform to realize and control Majorana zero-modes. Despite experimental signatures indicating their existence, univocal interpretation of the observed features demands theories including realistic electronic structures. To achieve this, we solve the Kohn-Sham-Dirac-Bogoliubov-de Gennes equations for ultrathin Bi$_2$Se$_3$ films on superconductor PdTe, within the fully relativistic Korringa-Kohn-Rostoker method, and investigate quasiparticle spectra as a function of chemical potential and film thickness. We find a strongly momentum-dependent proximity-induced gap feature where the gap sizes highly depend on characteristics of the TI states. The interface TI Dirac state is relevant to the induced gap only when the chemical potential is close to the Dirac-point energy. Otherwise, at a given chemical potential, the largest induced gap arises from the highest-energy quantum-well states, whereas the smallest gap arises from the TI topological surface state with its gap size depending on the TI pairing potential.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
