Evidence of Andreev blockade in a double quantum dot coupled to a superconductor

TL;DR

This paper reports the experimental observation of Andreev blockade in a double quantum dot system coupled to a superconductor, revealing spin-dependent transport phenomena with potential applications in quantum computing.

Contribution

It demonstrates the first experimental evidence of Andreev blockade in a double quantum dot system, combining experimental design with theoretical modeling.

Findings

Observation of Coulomb diamonds and Andreev bound states.

Suppression of Andreev reflections due to triplet configuration.

Leakage currents explained by finite temperature effects.

Abstract

We design and investigate an experimental system capable of entering an electron transport blockade regime in which a spin-triplet localized in the path of current is forbidden from entering a spin-singlet superconductor. To stabilize the triplet a double quantum dot is created electrostatically near a superconducting lead in an InAs nanowire. The dots are filled stochastically with electrons of either spin. The superconducting lead is a molecular beam epitaxy grown Al shell. The shell is etched away over a wire segment to make room for the double dot and the normal metal gold lead. The quantum dot closest to the normal lead exhibits Coulomb diamonds, the dot closest to the superconducting lead exhibits Andreev bound states and an induced gap. The experimental observations compare favorably to a theoretical model of Andreev blockade, named so because the triplet double dot configuration suppresses Andreev reflections. Observed leakage currents can be accounted for by finite temperature. We observe the predicted quadruple level degeneracy points of high current and a periodic conductance pattern controlled by the occupation of the normal dot. Even-odd transport asymmetry is lifted with increased temperature and magnetic field. This blockade phenomenon can be used to study spin structure of superconductors. It may also find utility in quantum computing devices that utilize Andreev or Majorana states.