Topological Superconductivity in CuxBi2Se3

Abstract

A topological superconductor (TSC) is characterized by the topologically-protected gapless surface state that is essentially an Andreev bound state consisting of Majorana fermions. While a TSC has not yet been discovered, the doped topological insulator CuxBi2Se3, which superconducts below ~3 K, has been predicted to possess a topological superconducting state. We report that the point-contact spectra on the cleaved surface of superconducting CuxBi2Se3 present a zero-bias conductance peak (ZBCP) which signifies unconventional superconductivity. Theoretical considerations of all possible superconducting states help us conclude that this ZBCP is due to Majorana Fermions and gives evidence for a topological superconductivity in CuxBi2Se3. In addition, we found an unusual pseudogap that develops below ~20 K and coexists with the topological superconducting state.

5 pages, 4 figures (paper proper) + 10 pages, 10 figures (supplemental material); final version accepted for publication in PRL