SuperCONtacts · Solid state diffusion for atomically sharp interfaces in semiconductor-superconductor hybrid structures

Solid state diffusion for atomically sharp interfaces in semiconductor-superconductor hybrid structures

The emerging field of semiconductor-superconductor hybrid-structure physics is increasingly gaining momentum. Building on the vast and application-oriented knowledge acquired in semiconductor physics in the last century, this new field combines it with the extraordinary properties described by superconductor physics, such as dissipation less current and electron coupling through Cooper pair formation. Theoretical proposals of novel devices capable of revolutionizing our life are plentiful. Most notably these are hybrid light-emitting diodes, novel superconductor-based lasers, entangled photon detectors and quantum light sources which have the potential to impact future quantum processing, communication, and encryption. The p-n junction and quantum dot (QD) superconducting light sources can be based on the integration of Josephson junctions (JJs). These and superconductor coupled wave guides and photonic Bell-state analyzers are all based on contacting the superconducting material with one or two contact leads which form the connection between the superconductor and the semiconductor. They are the injection point of Cooper pairs into semiconductor and therewith the critical liaison between the two where the properties of one type of material can interact with those of the other material. The quality of the interface is therefore of utmost importance for the hybridization of the nanodevice. Up to now, major experimental problems have occurred in the fabrication of such high-quality interfaces making the promises of superconducting light emitting sources far from reality. In this project, I will fill this gap by proposing a technology transfer of the solid-state diffusion technique from metal- to superconductor-interfaces with a semiconductor. Thanks to this technique, atomically sharp interfaces with an epitaxial relationship with the adjacent materials have been produced. Such clean and very controlled interfaces would be a big advancement for superconductor-semiconductor hybrid structures. I want to employ nanowires (NWs) as the semiconducting component which are already a well-established building block for this technique and very efficient for optoelectronic devices. Through this project it will be possible to make an important step towards the realization and control of JJs in n- and p-doped NWs. This will be essential to extend the knowledge of superconductor-semiconductor interfaces at the nanoscale and will provide a useful technique for future device miniaturization. There are still gaps in the experimental know-how in the field and with this project I propose a new fabrication protocol of superconductor-semiconductor material systems, a material selection which in the near future will allow the development of JJ-based devices (such as the superconducting quantum light sources or detectors) and novel outstanding devices which will significantly improve the state-of-the-art. It will therewith represent one important aspect towards the realization and commercialization of other semiconductor-superconductor structures.

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