Magnetic-Field-Independent Subgap States in Hybrid Rashba Nanowires

Physical Review Letters
Christian JüngerChristian Schönenberger

Abstract

Subgap states in semiconducting-superconducting nanowire hybrid devices are controversially discussed as potential topologically nontrivial quantum states. One source of ambiguity is the lack of an energetically and spatially well defined tunnel spectrometer. Here, we use quantum dots directly integrated into the nanowire during the growth process to perform tunnel spectroscopy of discrete subgap states in a long nanowire segment. In addition to subgap states with a standard magnetic field dependence, we find topologically trivial subgap states that are independent of the external magnetic field, i.e., that are pinned to a constant energy as a function of field. We explain this effect qualitatively and quantitatively by taking into account the strong spin-orbit interaction in the nanowire, which can lead to a decoupling of Andreev bound states from the field due to a spatial spin texture of the confined eigenstates. This result constitutes an important step forward in the research on superconducting subgap states in nanowires, such as Majorana bound states.

References

Jul 24, 1998·Science·S M CronenwettL P Kouwenhoven
Feb 15, 2001·Physical Review Letters·S De FranceschiL P Kouwenhoven
Feb 7, 2007·Physical Review Letters·Christian FlindtKarsten Flensberg
Oct 13, 2007·Physical Review Letters·A EichlerA Martín-Rodero
Aug 17, 2010·Nano Letters·Kimberly A DickPhilippe Caroff
Dec 24, 2010·Nature·S Nadj-PergeL P Kouwenhoven
Dec 12, 2012·Physical Review Letters·Eduardo J H LeeSilvano De Franceschi
Feb 26, 2013·Physical Review Letters·J W G van den BergL P Kouwenhoven
Jun 12, 2013·Physical Review Letters·W ChangC M Marcus
Dec 18, 2013·Nature Nanotechnology·Eduardo J H LeeSilvano De Franceschi
Feb 15, 2013·Physical Review Letters·Bum-Kyu KimNam Kim
Feb 13, 2016·Scientific Reports·Pablo San-JoseRamón Aguado
Mar 11, 2016·Nature·S M AlbrechtC M Marcus
Mar 29, 2018·Nature·Hao ZhangLeo P Kouwenhoven
Jun 20, 2018·Nature Communications·K Grove-RasmussenJ Nygård

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Feb 16, 2021·Journal of Physics. Condensed Matter : an Institute of Physics Journal·Tong GongWei-Jiang Gong

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.