Strain-induced superconducting proximity effect in the topological insulator
Phys. Rev. B 111, 224510 – Published 20 June, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/dccn-czmz
Abstract
The magnetoresistance of superconductor–topological insulator–superconductor structures, with indium as the superconductor and as the topological insulator, shows steplike features on the resistance under magnetic fields. These resistance steps result from the suppression of superconductivity, induced by the superconducting proximity effect in both the bulk and surface states of the topological insulator. The position and amplitude of the steps, occurring at approximately 0.1 T, show an unusual dependence on the magnitude of the uniaxial strain (), indicating their connection with surface states. This behavior follows the expected transition sequence, semimetalstrong topological insulatortrivial insulator, and supports the presence of surface states at .