Gate-induced superconductivity in a monolayer topological insulator
Abstract
The layered semimetal tungsten ditelluride (WTe2) has recently been found to be a two-dimensional topological insulator (2D TI) when thinned down to a single monolayer, with conducting helical edge channels. We found that intrinsic superconductivity can be induced in this monolayer 2D TI by mild electrostatic doping at temperatures below 1 kelvin. The 2D TI-superconductor transition can be driven by applying a small gate voltage. This discovery offers possibilities for gate-controlled devices combining superconductivity and nontrivial topological properties, and could provide a basis for quantum information schemes based on topological protection.
- Publication:
-
Science
- Pub Date:
- November 2018
- DOI:
- 10.1126/science.aar4426
- arXiv:
- arXiv:1809.04691
- Bibcode:
- 2018Sci...362..922S
- Keywords:
-
- PHYSICS;
- Condensed Matter - Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics;
- Condensed Matter - Superconductivity
- E-Print:
- manuscript only