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Ubiquitous missing first Shapiro step in Al-InSb nanosheet Josephson junctions

Xingjun Wu1, Haitian Su2,3, Chuanchang Zeng1, Ji-Yin Wang1, Shili Yan1, Dong Pan4,*, Jianhua Zhao4, Po Zhang1,†, and H. Q. Xu2,1,‡

  • *Contact author: pandong@semi.ac.cn
  • †Contact author: zhangpo@baqis.ac.cn
  • ‡Contact author: hqxu@pku.edu.cn

Phys. Rev. B 112, 184518 – Published 21 November, 2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/3tvf-5v29

Abstract

The absence of odd-order Shapiro steps is a predicted signature of topological superconductors. Experimentally, the missing first-order Shapiro step has been reported in both putative topological superconducting systems and topologically trivial superconductor-semiconductor Josephson junctions. Here, we revisit this phenomenon in topologically trivial Al-InSb nanosheet Josephson junctions under microwave irradiation. The missing first Shapiro step coincides with a sharp voltage jump during superconducting switching, yet reappears when the jump is lowered and softened by increasing microwave power, temperature, or magnetic field. It also reappears at higher microwave frequencies, consistent with qualitative results from an RSJ model incorporating the sharp jump. These observations indicate that the absence of the first Shapiro step, associated with the sharp switching jump, simply results from their location within the measurement blind region. This work identifies a common but overlooked mechanism underlying the missing first Shapiro step, offering new insights into fractional Josephson effect experiments.

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