Observation of Conductance Quantization in InSb Nanowire Networks

Nano Lett. 2017 Nov 8;17(11):6511-6515. doi: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.7b00797. Epub 2017 Jul 14.

Abstract

Majorana zero modes (MZMs) are prime candidates for robust topological quantum bits, holding a great promise for quantum computing. Semiconducting nanowires with strong spin orbit coupling offer a promising platform to harness one-dimensional electron transport for Majorana physics. Demonstrating the topological nature of MZMs relies on braiding, accomplished by moving MZMs around each other in a certain sequence. Most of the proposed Majorana braiding circuits require nanowire networks with minimal disorder. Here, the electronic transport across a junction between two merged InSb nanowires is studied to investigate how disordered these nanowire networks are. Conductance quantization plateaus are observed in most of the contact pairs of the epitaxial InSb nanowire networks: the hallmark of ballistic transport behavior.

Keywords: Semiconducting nanowires; ballistic transport; conductance quantization; indium antimonide; networks.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't