Berlin 2015 – scientific programme

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HL: Fachverband Halbleiterphysik

HL 17: Transport: Topological insulators 1 (TT with DS/HL)

HL 17.9: Talk

Monday, March 16, 2015, 17:30–17:45, A 053

Probing spin-polarized edge state superconductivity by Andreev reflection in in-plane magnetic fields — •Rolf W. Reinthaler, Grigory Tkachov, and Ewelina M. Hankiewicz — Faculty of Physics and Astrophysics, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany

Finding signatures of unconventional superconductivity in Quantum Spin Hall systems is one of the challenges of solid state physics. Here we induce superconductivity in a 3D topological insulator thin film to cause the formation of helical edge states, which are protected against backscattering even in finite magnetic fields. Above a critical in-plane magnetic field, which is much smaller than the critical field of typical superconductors, the quasi-particle gap closes, giving rise to energy-dependent spin polarization. In this regime the spin-polarized edge state superconductivity can be detected by Andreev reflection. We propose measurement setups to experimentally observe the spin-dependent excess current and dI/dV characteristics.