Schematic of Superconductor Combined with Quantum Anomolous Hall Insulator (IMAGE)

Penn State

Schematic of Superconductor Combined with Quantum Anomolous Hall Insulator

Caption

An exotic quantum state known as a "chiral Majorana fermion" is predicted in devices wherein a superconductor is affixed on top of a quantum anomalous Hall (QAH) insulator (left panel). Experiments performed at Penn State and the University of Würzburg in Germany show that the millimeter-size superconductor strip used in the proposed device geometry creates an electrical short, preventing the detection of chiral Majoranas (right panel).

Credit

Cui-zu Chang, Penn State

Usage Restrictions

None

License

Licensed content

Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.