April 5, 2012 | V. Mourik†, K. Zuo†, S.M. Frolov, S.R. Plissard, E.P.A.M. Bakkers, L.P. Kouwenhoven
The authors report the observation of zero-bias peaks in electrical measurements on InSb nanowires contacted with one normal (Au) and one superconducting electrode (NbTiN). These peaks, which remain fixed at zero bias even when magnetic fields and gate voltages are varied over significant ranges, support the hypothesis of Majorana fermions in nanowires coupled to superconductors. The presence of these peaks is attributed to bound, mid-gap states at zero bias, which are predicted to exist in topological superconductors. The study uses a combination of tunneling spectroscopy and magnetic field dependence to confirm the existence of these states, demonstrating that they are robust and persistent under various conditions. The findings provide evidence for the existence of Majorana fermions in hybrid superconductor-semiconductor nanowire devices.The authors report the observation of zero-bias peaks in electrical measurements on InSb nanowires contacted with one normal (Au) and one superconducting electrode (NbTiN). These peaks, which remain fixed at zero bias even when magnetic fields and gate voltages are varied over significant ranges, support the hypothesis of Majorana fermions in nanowires coupled to superconductors. The presence of these peaks is attributed to bound, mid-gap states at zero bias, which are predicted to exist in topological superconductors. The study uses a combination of tunneling spectroscopy and magnetic field dependence to confirm the existence of these states, demonstrating that they are robust and persistent under various conditions. The findings provide evidence for the existence of Majorana fermions in hybrid superconductor-semiconductor nanowire devices.