Edge-mode Superconductivity in a Two Dimensional Topological Insulator

Understand

Topological superconductivity is an exotic state of matter that supports Majorana zero-modes, which are surface modes in 3D, edge modes in 2D or localized end states in 1D.

• In the case of complete localization these Majorana modes obey non-Abelian exchange statistics making them interesting building blocks for topological quantum computing.
• Here we report superconductivity induced into the edge modes of semiconducting InAs/GaSb quantum wells, a two-dimensional topological insulator.
• Using superconducting quantum interference, we demonstrate gate-tuning between edge-dominated and bulk-dominated regimes of superconducting transport.