Superconductivity in textured Bi clusters/Bi2Te3 films

Abstract

We report superconductivity at an onset critical temperature below 3.1 K in topological insulator similar to 200-nm-thick Bi2Te3 thin films grown by pulsed laser deposition. Using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy elemental mapping and Auger electron spectroscopy elemental depth profiling, we clearly identified bismuth (Bi) precipitation and Bi cluster signatures. Superconductivity in the Bi2Te3 films was attributed to the proximity effect of Bi clusters precipitated on the surface of the Bi2Te3 films. (C) 2014 Author(s). All article content, except where otherwise noted, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License.