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Title: Observation of Coexisting Weak Localization and Superconducting Fluctuations in Strained Sn1–xInxTe Thin Films

Journal Article · · Nano Letters

Topological superconductors have attracted tremendous excitement as they are predicted to host Majorana zero modes that can be utilized for topological quantum computing. Candidate topological superconductor Sn1–xInxTe thin films (0 < x < 0.3) grown by molecular beam epitaxy and strained in the (111) plane are shown to host quantum interference effects in the conductivity coexisting with superconducting fluctuations above the critical temperature Tc. An analysis of the normal state magnetoresistance reveals these effects. A crossover from weak antilocalization to localization is consistently observed in superconducting samples, indicating that superconductivity originates dominantly from charge carriers occupying trivial states that may be strongly spin–orbit split. A large enhancement of the conductivity is observed above Tc, indicating the presence of superconducting fluctuations. Furthermore, our results motivate a re-examination of the debated pairing symmetry of this material when subjected to quantum confinement and lattice strain.

Research Organization:
Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
National Science Foundation (NSF); USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES). Scientific User Facilities Division
Grant/Contract Number:
AC02-06CH11357
OSTI ID:
1846793
Journal Information:
Nano Letters, Journal Name: Nano Letters Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 22; ISSN 1530-6984
Publisher:
American Chemical SocietyCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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