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Related Experiment Video

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Scalable Quantum Integrated Circuits on Superconducting Two-Dimensional Electron Gas Platform

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Published on: August 2, 2019

Two-Dimensional Superconducting Diode Effect in Topological Insulator/Superconductor Heterostructure.

Soma Nagahama¹, Yuki Sato², Minoru Kawamura²

¹The University of Tokyo, Department of Applied Physics and Quantum-Phase Electronics Center (QPEC), Tokyo 113-8656, Japan.

Physical Review Letters

|January 2, 2026

Summary

We observed the superconducting diode effect (SDE) in a 2D topological insulator/superconductor heterostructure. This breakthrough demonstrates nonreciprocal Cooper-pair motion in 2D systems, driven by vortex dynamics.

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Area of Science:

Condensed Matter Physics
Materials Science
Quantum Phenomena

Background:

The superconducting diode effect (SDE) shows nonreciprocal Cooper-pair motion, observable as directional critical current variations in 3D materials.
Manifesting SDE in 2D materials is challenging due to a theoretically zero critical current density.

Purpose of the Study:

To observe and characterize the superconducting diode effect in a 2D topological insulator/superconductor heterostructure.
To investigate the role of vortex dynamics in 2D SDE.

Main Methods:

Fabrication of a heterostructure using topological insulator Bi_{2}Te_{3} and iron-based superconductor Fe(Se,Te).
Measurement of current-voltage (I-V) characteristics to identify nonreciprocity.
Analysis of vortex-creep and vortex-flow instability phenomena.

Main Results:

Observation of SDE in a 2D superconducting system, specifically in the vortex-creep regime.
Nonreciprocal I-V characteristics with finite voltages arising from 2D superconductivity.
Abrupt voltage jumps influenced by current and magnetic field direction, indicative of vortex-flow instability.

Conclusions:

Vortex dynamics play a crucial role in enabling the superconducting diode effect in 2D systems.
The study provides insights into symmetry breaking and dimensionality in topological insulator/superconductor interfaces.
This work paves the way for exploring SDE in other 2D material systems.