Dirac Fermions and Superconductivity in Homologous Structures (AgxPb1-xSe)5(Bi2Se3)3m,m = 1,2

TL;DR

This study reports on the topological and superconducting properties of homologous structures (AgxPb1-xSe)5(Bi2Se3)3m, revealing a large band gap, evidence of topological protection, and superconductivity at low temperatures, with implications for Majorana Fermion observation.

Contribution

The paper presents the discovery of a large band gap topological insulator and superconducting properties in homologous structures, highlighting their potential for Majorana Fermion research.

Findings

Largest band gap reported in topological insulators (0.5 eV)

Observation of two-dimensional weak antilocalization

Superconductivity with Tc = 1.7 K in one phase

Abstract

A newly discovered topological insulator (AgxPb1-xSe)5(Bi2Se3)3m, m=2, has a band gap of 0.5 eV, the largest value ever reported in topological insulators (TIs). We present a magnetoconductivity study of the Dirac electrons of this compound in the quantum diffusion regime. Two dimensional weak antilocalization was observed and identified as destructive interference caused by the Berry phase of this topological state. We find that the phase coherence length of the Dirac electrons is independent of doping and disorder levels. This provides proof for the absence of backscattering arising from the protection of time reversal invariance in TI (AgxPb1-xSe)5(Bi2Se3)3m, m=2. We further report that the homologous compound (AgxPb1-xSe)5(Bi2Se3)3m, m=1 is a superconductor with a transition temperature Tc = 1.7 K. The related structures of these two phases allow lateral intergrowth of crystals to occur naturally, offering an opportunity to observe the Majorana Fermion state at the boundary of two intergrown crystals.