High Temperature, Topological Superconductivity via the Proximity Effect

非技术摘要该奖项来自材料研究部的凝聚态物理项目，支持波士顿大学的一个项目，该项目利用最近开发的邻近技术探索在材料中诱导超导性的新方法。超导性是一种物质状态，其中电子携带电力而没有摩擦，当材料冷却到某一临界温度以下时就会发生。超导态具有相对“高”的转变温度（略高于液氮），可以通过改变一系列磁性材料的化学性质来诱导。然而，这涉及同时改变多个参数，使分析复杂化。该项目遵循另一种方法，即通过“邻近”诱导超导性，即将超导体与非超导（正常）材料良好接触，其中界面和正常状态属性可以调整。该项目探讨了控制邻近感应超导状态出现的正常材料的各个方面。这将使系统的研究和追求难以捉摸的马约拉纳费米子提供了一个平台。为了实现这一目标，各个层次的学生，高中到博士后实习生，将学习各种技术（器件制造和表征）到专业技能（培训，项目管理）。 技术摘要这个项目是为了产生新的物质状态，同时推动我们的知识边界的序参数和拓扑结构的耦合。这将使用主要研究者开发的一种新的机械键合技术来实现，该技术为在半导体、半金属和拓扑绝缘体中创造和操纵非常规超导性打开了大门。这些新的平台将探索使用光学和运输技术相结合，以解决基本问题和技术挑战，如：什么是观察高Tc超导邻近效应的最佳条件？能带结构、载流子密度和拓扑结构如何影响超导性的出现？超导序参量的对称性是如何受主体材料的影响的？特别关注的是高温超导体Bi_2Sr_2CaCu_2O（8+y）与MoS_2、Bi_2Te_2Se和石墨/石墨烯的组合。各级学员将参与器件的制造和光学/差分电导数据的分析，学习各种分析，器件制造和表征技术以及专业技能。

Non-Technical AbstractThis award from the Condensed Matter Physics program of the Division of Materials Research supports Boston University with a project to explore new approach to induce superconductivity in a material using a recently developed proximity technique. Superconductivity, a state of matter in which electrons carry electricity without friction, occurs when a material is cooled below a certain critical temperature. Superconducting states, with relatively "high" transition temperatures (just above that of liquid nitrogen), can be induced by changing the chemistry of a series of magnetic materials. However, this involves changing multiple parameters simultaneously, complicating the analysis. This project follows an alternative approach which is to induce superconductivity via "proximity", namely placing a superconductor in excellent contact with a non-superconducting (normal) material, where the interface and normal state properties can be tuned. The project explores the various aspects of the normal materials that control the emergence of the proximity induced superconducting state. This will enable systematic studies and provide a platform for pursuing the elusive Majorana fermions. To achieve this students of all levels, high school to postdoctoral trainees, will learn a variety of technical (device fabrication and characterization) to professional skills (training, project management). Technical AbstractThis project is to generate new states of matter, while pushing the boundaries of our knowledge on the coupling of order parameters and topology. This will be achieved using a new mechanical bonding technique developed by the principal investigator, which opens the door to creating and manipulating unconventional superconductivity in semiconductors, semimetals and topological insulators. These new platforms will be explored using a combination of optical and transport techniques to address fundamental questions and technical challenges such as: What are the optimum conditions for observing a high Tc superconducting proximity effect? How do band structure, carrier density and topology affect the emergence of superconductivity? How is the symmetry of the superconducting order parameter affected by the host material? Particular focus will be given to the high temperature superconductor Bi2Sr2CaCu2O(8+y) in combination with MoS2, Bi2Te2Se, and Graphite/Graphene. Trainees at all levels will be involved in the fabrication of devices and the analysis of optical/differential conductance data, to learn a variety of analysis, device fabrication and characterization techniques, as well as professional skills.