We demonstrate an original method based on controlled oxidation for creating high-quality tunnel junctions between superconducting Al reservoirs and InAs semiconductor nanowires (NWs). We show clean tunnel characteristics with a current suppression by >4 orders of magnitude for a junction bias well below the Al gap of $Delta$0≈ 200 $mu$eV. The experimental data agree well with the Bardeen--Cooper--Schrieffer theoretical expectations for a superconducting tunnel junction. The studied devices employ small-scale tunnel contacts functioning as thermometers as well as larger electrodes that provide proof-of-principle active cooling of the electron distribution in the NWs. A peak refrigeration of approximately $delta$T = 10 mK is achieved at a bath temperature of $T_{bath}$ ≈ 250--350 mK for our prototype devices. This method introduces important perspectives for the investigation of the thermoelectric effects in semiconductor nanostructures and for nanoscale refrigeration.

InAs nanowire superconducting tunnel junctions: Quasiparticle spectroscopy, thermometry, and nanorefrigeration

RODDARO, Stefano;ROCCI, MIRKO;ERCOLANI, Daniele;SORBA, LUCIA;LIGATO, NADIA;FORNIERI, Antonio;STRAMBINI, ELIA;GIAZOTTO, Francesco
2017

Abstract

We demonstrate an original method based on controlled oxidation for creating high-quality tunnel junctions between superconducting Al reservoirs and InAs semiconductor nanowires (NWs). We show clean tunnel characteristics with a current suppression by >4 orders of magnitude for a junction bias well below the Al gap of $Delta$0≈ 200 $mu$eV. The experimental data agree well with the Bardeen--Cooper--Schrieffer theoretical expectations for a superconducting tunnel junction. The studied devices employ small-scale tunnel contacts functioning as thermometers as well as larger electrodes that provide proof-of-principle active cooling of the electron distribution in the NWs. A peak refrigeration of approximately $delta$T = 10 mK is achieved at a bath temperature of $T_{bath}$ ≈ 250--350 mK for our prototype devices. This method introduces important perspectives for the investigation of the thermoelectric effects in semiconductor nanostructures and for nanoscale refrigeration.
2017
Settore FIS/03 - Fisica della Materia
InAs nanowire; nanorefrigeration; superconducting tunnel junction; thermometry;
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11384/66905
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