Super-thin semiconductors successfully linked to superconductors in a historical breakthrough
In a groundbreaking development, researchers at the University of Basel have successfully equipped an ultrathin semiconductor with superconducting contacts for the first time. This innovative approach could pave the way for previously unimagined applications in electronics and quantum technology.
The ultrathin semiconductor, made of molybdenum disulfide, is protected by two thin layers of boron nitride. The semiconductor layer itself is etched vertically using electron-beam lithography and ion etching. The fabrication process is carried out under a protective nitrogen atmosphere in a glove box, requiring careful avoidance of contaminations to ensure the transport of electrical charges.
The superconductor used in this study, which retains its superconducting properties in strong magnetic fields, is placed at the top and bottom of the semiconductor layer. The contact material used, molybdenum rhenium, is chosen for its ability to maintain its superconducting properties under various conditions.
In a superconductor, electrons arrange themselves into pairs, which results in the flow of electrical current without resistance. The study found indications of a strong coupling between the semiconductor layer and the superconductor, suggesting that hybrid monolayer semiconductor components with other exotic contact materials are possible.
The new component is fabricated in a sandwich-like structure, involving multiple materials. The bottom layer is a further layer of boron nitride, and the top layer is a layer of graphene for electrical control. The electrical measurements at low temperatures show the effects caused by the superconductor, such as the restriction of single electrons at certain energies.
Scientists worldwide are investigating how these thin semiconductors can be stacked to form new synthetic materials, known as van der Waals heterostructures. The elaborate van der Waals heterostructure in this study is placed on a silicon/silicon-dioxide wafer.
The study, published in the journal Nano Letters with the DOI 10.1021/acs.nanolett.1c00615, could open new avenues for the exploration of unique quantum phenomena when semiconductors and superconductors are combined. However, the physicist who equipped the first ultrathin semiconductor with superconducting contacts at the University of Basel is not explicitly named in the found search results.
These ultrathin semiconductors promise to deliver unique characteristics that are otherwise very difficult to control. The combination of semiconductor and superconductor is expected to give rise to new quantum phenomena, potentially revolutionising the field of electronics and quantum technology.
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