Flux-induced topological superconductivity in full-shell nanowires

• Published in: Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) Vol. 367; no. 6485
• Main Authors: Vaitiekėnas, S, Winkler, G W, van Heck, B, Karzig, T, Deng, M-T, Flensberg, K, Glazman, L I, Nayak, C, Krogstrup, P, Lutchyn, R M, Marcus, C M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 27.03.2020
• ISSN: 1095-9203
• DOI: 10.1126/science.aav3392

Hybrid semiconductor-superconductor nanowires have emerged as a promising platform for realizing topological superconductivity (TSC). Here, we present a route to TSC using magnetic flux applied to a full superconducting shell surrounding a semiconducting nanowire core. Tunneling into the core reveals a hard induced gap near zero applied flux, corresponding to zero phase winding, and a gapped region with a discrete zero-energy state around one applied flux quantum, corresponding to 2π phase winding. Theoretical analysis indicates that the winding of the superconducting phase can induce a transition to a topological phase supporting Majorana zero modes. Measured Coulomb blockade peak spacing around one flux quantum shows a length dependence that is consistent with the existence of Majorana modes at the ends of the nanowire.