Unified numerical approach to topological semiconductor-superconductor heterostructures

Journal Article (2019)
Author(s)

Georg W. Winkler (University of California)

Andrey E. Antipov (University of California)

Bernard Van Heck (University of California)

Alexey A. Soluyanov (Universitat Zurich, St. Petersburg State University)

Leonid I. Glazman (Yale University)

Michael Wimmer (Kavli institute of nanoscience Delft, TU Delft - QRD/Wimmer Group)

Roman M. Lutchyn (University of California)

DOI related publication
https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.99.245408 Final published version
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Publication Year
2019
Language
English
Issue number
24
Volume number
99
Article number
245408
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Abstract

We develop a unified numerical approach for modeling semiconductor-superconductor heterostructures. All the key physical ingredients of these systems - orbital effect of magnetic field, superconducting proximity effect, and electrostatic environment - are taken into account on equal footing in a realistic device geometry. As a model system, we consider indium arsenide (InAs) nanowires with an epitaxial aluminum (Al) shell, which is one of the most promising platforms for Majorana zero modes. We demonstrate qualitative and quantitative agreement of the obtained results with the existing experimental data. Finally, we characterize the topological superconducting phase emerging in a finite magnetic field and calculate the corresponding topological phase diagram.