Proximity-effect-induced superconductivity by granular Pb film on the surface of Bi2Te3 topological insulator

Abstract

The appearance of topological insulators provides us with a chance of finding topological superconductors and Majorana fermions. To pursue these findings one might need to induce large areas of proximity superconductivity on the surface of Bi2Te3 by depositing granular and discrete Pb film. In this experiment, a superconducting state over a distance of 9.5 rm is observed below 0.25 K on a Bi2Te3 crystal whose surface is deposited with Pb grains with a thickness of less than 20 nm and separated at a distance of 20-30 nm.