One-dimensional electron systems can exhibit quantized conductance. The plateau conductance doubles if the transport is dominated by Andreev reflection. Here, we report quantized conductance observed in both Andreev and normal-state transport in PbTe-Pb and PbTe-In hybrid nanowires. The Andreev plateau is observed at $4e^2/h$, twice the normal plateau value of $2e^2/h$. In comparison, Andreev conductance in the best-optimized III-V nanowires is nonquantized due to mode-mixing-induced dips (a disorder effect), despite the quantization of normal-state transport. The negligible mode mixing in PbTe hybrids indicates an unprecedented low-disorder transport regime for nanowire devices, beneficial for Majorana research.

Close

PrevNext

View figure in article

• Andreev reflection
• Majorana bound states
• Quantum transport
• Topological quantum computing
• II-VI semiconductors
• Nanowires
• Topological superconductors
• Sample preparation