Fusion of Majorana bound states with mini-gate control in two-dimensional systems

A hallmark of topological superconductivity is the non-Abelian statistics of Majorana bound states (MBS), its chargeless zero-energy emergent quasiparticles. The resulting fractionalization of a single electron, stored nonlocally as a two spatially-separated MBS, provides a powerful platform for implementing fault-tolerant topological quantum computing. However, despite intensive efforts, experimental support for MBS remains indirect and does not probe their non-Abelian statistics. Here we propose how to overcome this obstacle in mini-gate controlled planar Josephson junctions (JJs) and demonstrate non-Abelian statistics through MBS fusion, detected by charge sensing using a quantum point contact, based on dynamical simulations. The feasibility of preparing, manipulating, and fusing MBS in two-dimensional (2D) systems is supported in our experiments which demonstrate the gate control of topological transition and superconducting properties with five mini gates in InAs/Al-based JJs. While we focus on this well-established platform, where the topological superconductivity was already experimentally detected, our proposal to identify elusive non-Abelian statistics motivates also further MBS studies in other gate-controlled 2D systems.

Local Control of Supercurrent Density in Epitaxial Planar Josephson Junctions

The critical current response to an applied out-of-plane magnetic field in a Josephson junction provides insight into the uniformity of its current distribution. In Josephson junctions with semiconducting weak links, the carrier density, and therefore the overall current distribution, can be modified electrostatically via metallic gates. Here, we show local control of the current distribution in an epitaxial Al-InAs Josephson junction equipped with five minigates. We demonstrate that not only can the junction width be electrostatically defined but also the current profile can be locally adjusted to form superconducting quantum interference devices. Our studies show enhanced edge conduction in such long junctions, which can be eliminated by minigates to create a uniform current distribution.

Tuning Supercurrent in Josephson Field-Effect Transistors Using h-BN Dielectric

Epitaxial Al-InAs heterostructures appear as a promising materials platform for exploring mesoscopic and topological superconductivity. A unique property of Josephson junction field effect transistors (JJ-FETs) fabricated on these heterostructures is the ability to tune the supercurrent using a metallic gate. Here, we report the fabrication and measurement of gate-tunable Al-InAs JJ-FETs in which the gate dielectric in contact with the InAs is produced by mechanically exfoliated hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) followed by dry transfer. We discuss a versatile fabrication process that enables compatibility between layered material transfer and Al-InAs heterostructures that allows us to achieve full gate-tunability of supercurrent by using only 5 nm thick h-BN flakes. Our study shows that pristine properties of epitaxial Josephson junctions, such as product of normal resistance and critical current, I_cR_n, are preserved. Furthermore, complementary measurements confirm that using h-BN dielectric changes the channel density less when compared to atomic layer deposition of Al₂O₃.

Nanoscale Characterization of Back Surfaces and Interfaces in Thin-Film Kesterite Solar Cells

Combinations of sub 1 μm absorber films with high-work-function back surface contact layers are expected to induce large enough internal fields to overcome adverse effects of bulk defects on thin-film photovoltaic performance, particularly in earth-abundant kesterites. However, there are numerous experimental challenges involving back surface engineering, which includes exfoliation, thinning, and contact layer optimization. In the present study, a unique combination of nanocharacterization tools, including nano-Auger, Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM), and cryogenic focused ion beam measurements, are employed to gauge the possibility of surface potential modification in the absorber back surface via direct deposition of high-work-function metal oxides on exfoliated surfaces. Nano-Auger measurements showed large compositional nonuniformities on the exfoliated surfaces, which can be minimized by a brief bromine-methanol etching step. Cross-sectional nano-Auger and KPFM measurements on Au/MoO₃/Cu₂ZnSn(S,Se)₄ (CZTSSe) showed an upward band bending as large as 400 meV within the CZTSSe layer, consistent with the high work function of MoO₃, despite Au incorporation into the oxide layer. Density functional theory simulations of the atomic structure for bulk amorphous MoO₃ demonstrated the presence of large voids within MoO₃ enabling Au in-diffusion. With a less diffusive metal electrode such as Pt or Pd, upward band bending beyond this level is expected to be achieved.

Low temperature thermal ALD of a SiNx interfacial diffusion barrier and interface passivation layer on SixGe1- x(001) and SixGe1- x(110)

Atomic layer deposition of a silicon rich SiN_x layer on Si_0.7Ge_0.3(001), Si_0.5Ge_0.5(001), and Si_0.5Ge_0.5(110) surfaces has been achieved by sequential pulsing of Si₂Cl₆ and N₂H₄ precursors at a substrate temperature of 285 °C. XPS spectra show a higher binding energy shoulder peak on Si 2p indicative of SiO_xN_yCl_z bonding while Ge 2p and Ge 3d peaks show only a small amount of higher binding energy components consistent with only interfacial bonds, indicating the growth of SiO_xN_y on the SiGe surface with negligible subsurface reactions. Scanning tunneling spectroscopy measurements confirm that the SiN_x interfacial layer forms an electrically passive surface on p-type Si_0.70Ge_0.30(001), Si_0.50Ge_0.50(110), and Si_0.50Ge_0.50(001) substrates as the surface Fermi level is unpinned and the electronic structure is free of states in the band gap. DFT calculations show that a Si rich a-SiO_0.4N_0,4 interlayer can produce lower interfacial defect density than stoichiometric a-SiO_0.8N_0.8, substoichiometric a-Si₃N₂, or stoichiometric a-Si₃N₄ interlayers by minimizing strain and bond breaking in the SiGe by the interlayer. Metal-oxide-semiconductor capacitors devices were fabricated on p-type Si_0.7Ge_0.3(001) and Si_0.5Ge_0.5(001) substrates with and without the insertion of an ALD SiO_xN_y interfacial layer, and the SiO_xN_y layer resulted in a decrease in interface state density near midgap with a comparable C_max value.

Atomic Layer Deposition of Al2O3 on WSe2 Functionalized by Titanyl Phthalocyanine

To deposit an ultrathin dielectric onto WSe2, monolayer titanyl phthalocyanine (TiOPc) is deposited by molecular beam epitaxy as a seed layer for atomic layer deposition (ALD) of Al2O3 on WSe2. TiOPc molecules are arranged in a flat monolayer with 4-fold symmetry as measured by scanning tunneling microscopy. ALD pulses of trimethyl aluminum and H2O nucleate on the TiOPc, resulting in a uniform deposition of Al2O3, as confirmed by atomic force microscopy and cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy. The field-effect transistors (FETs) formed using this process have a leakage current of 0.046 pA/μm(2) at 1 V gate bias with 3.0 nm equivalent oxide thickness, which is a lower leakage current than prior reports. The n-branch of the FET yielded a subthreshold swing of 80 mV/decade.

Grazing Incidence Cross-Sectioning of Thin-Film Solar Cells via Cryogenic Focused Ion Beam: A Case Study on CIGSe

Cryogenic focused ion beam (Cryo-FIB) milling at near-grazing angles is employed to fabricate cross-sections on thin Cu(In,Ga)Se2 with >8x expansion in thickness. Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) on sloped cross sections showed reduction in grain boundaries potential deeper into the film. Cryo Fib-KPFM enabled the first determination of the electronic structure of the Mo/CIGSe back contact, where a sub 100 nm thick MoSey assists hole extraction due to 45 meV higher work function. This demonstrates that CryoFIB-KPFM combination can reveal new targets of opportunity for improvement in thin-films photovoltaics such as high-work-function contacts to facilitate hole extraction through the back interface of CIGS.

Density-Functional Theory Molecular Dynamics Simulations and Experimental Characterization of a-Al₂O₃/SiGe Interfaces

Density-functional theory molecular dynamics simulations were employed to investigate direct interfaces between a-Al2O3 and Si0.50Ge0.50 with Si- and Ge-terminations. The simulated stacks revealed mixed interfacial bonding. While Si-O and Ge-O bonds are unlikely to be problematic, bonding between Al and Si or Ge could result in metallic bond formation; however, the internal bonds of a-Al2O3 are sufficiently strong to allow just weak Al bonding to the SiGe surface thereby preventing formation of metallic-like states but leave dangling bonds. The oxide/SiGe band gaps were unpinned and close to the SiGe bulk band gap. The interfaces had SiGe dangling bonds, but they were sufficiently filled that they did not produce midgap states. Capacitance-voltage (C-V) spectroscopy and angle-resolved X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy experimentally confirmed formation of interfaces with low interface trap density via direct bonding between a-Al2O3 and SiGe.

In Situ Observation of Initial Stage in Dielectric Growth and Deposition of Ultrahigh Nucleation Density Dielectric on Two-Dimensional Surfaces

Several proposed beyond-CMOS devices based on two-dimensional (2D) heterostructures require the deposition of thin dielectrics between 2D layers. However, the direct deposition of dielectrics on 2D materials is challenging due to their inert surface chemistry. To deposit high-quality, thin dielectrics on 2D materials, a flat lying titanyl phthalocyanine (TiOPc) monolayer, deposited via the molecular beam epitaxy, was employed to create a seed layer for atomic layer deposition (ALD) on 2D materials, and the initial stage of growth was probed using in situ STM. ALD pulses of trimethyl aluminum (TMA) and H2O resulted in the uniform deposition of AlOx on the TiOPc/HOPG. The uniformity of the dielectric is consistent with DFT calculations showing multiple reaction sites are available on the TiOPc molecule for reaction with TMA. Capacitors prepared with 50 cycles of AlOx on TiOPc/graphene display a capacitance greater than 1000 nF/cm(2), and dual-gated devices have current densities of 10(-7)A/cm(2) with 40 cycles.

Kinetic study of H-terminated silicon nanowires oxidation in very first stages

Oxidation of silicon nanowires (Si NWs) is an undesirable phenomenon that has a detrimental effect on their electronic properties. To prevent oxidation of Si NWs, a deeper understanding of the oxidation reaction kinetics is necessary. In the current work, we study the oxidation kinetics of hydrogen-terminated Si NWs (H-Si NWs) as the starting surfaces for molecular functionalization of Si surfaces. H-Si NWs of 85-nm average diameter were annealed at various temperatures from 50°C to 400°C, in short-time spans ranging from 5 to 60 min. At high temperatures (T ≥ 200°C), oxidation was found to be dominated by the oxide growth site formation (made up of silicon suboxides) and subsequent silicon oxide self-limitation. Si-Si backbond oxidation and Si-H surface bond propagation dominated the process at lower temperatures (T < 200°C).