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Interface-Enhanced Superconductivity in Ultrathin TiN Proximitized by Topological Insulators
Renjie Xie1, Bowen Hao2, Min Ge3
1Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315201, China.
ACS Nano
|March 5, 2026
Summary
We discovered interface-enhanced superconductivity in topological insulator-superconductor (TI-SC) heterostructures. Interfacial charge transfer boosts critical temperature (Tc) in ultrathin superconducting (SC) films.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Materials Science
- Quantum Computing
Background:
- High-quality topological insulator-superconductor (TI-SC) heterostructures are essential for topological superconductivity and quantum qubits.
- Conventional research focuses on proximity effects in the topological insulator (TI) layer, neglecting manipulation of the superconductor (SC) layer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate interface-enhanced superconductivity in TI/TiN heterostructures.
- To explore the role of interfacial charge transfer in manipulating superconductivity.
- To develop tunable TI-SC hybrid systems with robust superconductivity.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of TI/TiN heterostructures using ultrathin, air-stable TiN films.
- Band structure measurements to observe Dirac point shifts.
- First-principles calculations to elucidate charge transfer mechanisms.
Main Results:
- Observed interface-enhanced superconductivity in TI/TiN, differing from conventional proximity effects.
- Demonstrated a correlation between Dirac point shifts and critical temperature (Tc) enhancement.
- Identified interfacial charge transfer, particularly involving the BiTe (BiSe) bilayer, as the mechanism for Tc enhancement.
Conclusions:
- TI/TiN heterostructures offer a tunable system with robust superconductivity at ultrathin thicknesses.
- Interface engineering via charge transfer provides a novel route for manipulating superconductivity in TI-SC systems.
- This work paves the way for advanced topological quantum devices.
Keywords:
charge transferinterface engineeringinterface-enhanced superconductivitytopological insulator−superconductorultrathin TiNMore Related Videos
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