Objective
Three-dimensional topological insulators (3D-TI) feature an insulating bulk and conducting surface states. The energy spectrum of these surface states mimics the one of relativistic Dirac electrons, i.e. it is linear in wave-vector k, not spin-degenerate and the spin locks to the k-vector (spin-momentum locking (SML)). The lack of spin degeneracy makes TIs a promising system for detecting quasi-particles with properties of Majorana fermions (MF), being potentially useful for fault tolerant quantum computing. The other feature, SML, promises electrical manipulation of magnetization and is at the heart of spintronics. The focus of this project is on testing new concepts, set ups and experiments to probe MFs and SML in 3D-HgTe nano- and hybrid structures. Strained films of 3D-HgTe constitute a TI with unprecedented high charge carrier mobility enabling the observation of ballistic and quantum effects, thus being a very promising material system for these studies. For hunting MF we focus on clean 3D-HgTe nanowires (NW) with superconductor (SC) contacts inducing topological superconductivity in the TI. Here, we utilize the peculiar energy spectrum of TI-NWs, tunable from topologically trivial to topological by adding half a flux quantum through the wire’s cross section. The existence of MFs forming at the superconducting wire’s end shall be proven by (i) anomalous conductance quantization at point contacts, (ii) measuring the anomalous height of Shapiro steps in SC-NW-SC junctions and by (iii) probing quantized conductance in SC-NW-normal metal junctions. In a complementary new approach (iv) we measure the quantum capacitance in an array of magnetic vortices in a SC-TI heterojunction to probe the density of states in the proximity induced superconducting gap, where MFs are expected to form. For probing SML in ballistic ferromagnet-HgTe hybrid systems we resort to a novel geometry (v) which measures the asymmetry of current flow rather than local or non-local voltages.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences physical sciences theoretical physics particle physics fermions
- natural sciences physical sciences electromagnetism and electronics spintronics
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering computer hardware quantum computers
- natural sciences mathematics pure mathematics geometry
- natural sciences physical sciences electromagnetism and electronics superconductivity
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
ERC-ADG - Advanced Grant
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2017-ADG
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
93053 Regensburg
Germany
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.