Induced superconductivity in HgTe nanowires

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Laurens W. Molenkamp
• Subject Area: Experimental Condensed Matter Physics
• Term: from 2013 to 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 238115510

The combination of topological insulators and superconductivity is predicted to lead to the existence of so called Majorana Fermion states. Majorana particles are their own anti-particle and are a prime candidate for the realization of topological quantum computation due to their non-abelian exchange statistics. A very promising route for the realization of Majorana Fermions is the combination of topological insulator nanowires and s-wave superconductors.The main objective of the second funding period is the investigation of superconductor/topological insulator hybrid structures in which we will search for signatures of unconventional superconductivity. HgTe nanowires are a promising candidate for such effects due to their topological insulator nature. We will specifically search for signatures of Majorana Fermions in these structures. For this purpose we will optimize our nanowires for low charge carrier densities and low defect densities. The investigations will be mainly carried out by means of electron transport.

• DFG Programme: Priority Programmes
• Subproject of: SPP 1666: Topological Insulators: Materials - Fundamental Properties - Devices
• Co-Investigator: Dr. Claus Schumacher