Superconducting-contact-induced resistance-anomalies in the 3D topological insulator Bi2Te3

TL;DR

This paper investigates magnetotransport phenomena in Bi2Te3 topological insulator flakes with superconducting indium contacts, revealing two critical transitions related to superconductivity and proximity effects at low temperatures.

Contribution

It demonstrates the presence of proximity-induced superconductivity and resistance anomalies in a 3D topological insulator with superconducting contacts, highlighting new effects in hybrid TI/superconductor structures.

Findings

Identification of two critical transitions in magnetoresistance below 3.4K

Superconductivity in indium electrodes influences the transport response

Proximity effect at the TI/superconductor interface causes resistance anomalies

Abstract

This study examines the magnetotransport response observed in flakes of the 3D topological insulator (TI) Bi2Te3, including indium superconducting electrodes, and demonstrates two critical transitions in the magnetoresistive response with decreasing temperatures below T = 3.4K. The first transition is attributed to superconductivity in the indium electrodes, and the second transition, with a critical field exceeding the transition field of indium, is attributed to a proximity effect at the 2D planar interface of this hybrid TI/superconductor structure.