Event Details

The last decade has witnessed an explosion of new condensed matter: topological materials whose band structure belongs to non-trivial topology. This leads to the emergence of topological surface or edge states in these materials, which can be harnessed for next generation electronics. In particular, a network of one-dimensional (1D) topological superconductors would enable fault-tolerant quantum computations based on Majorana bound states that can be supported, manipulated, and braided at the junctions of the nanowires. To this end, synthesis of topological nanomaterials, particularly in the nanowire form, of high crystalline quality that preserves the desired topological transport properties is essential. I will discuss synthesis and transport measurements of tin telluride, a topological crystalline insulator, into nanostructures. Doping tin telluride nanowires with indium induces superconductivity, meeting the necessary ingredients for 1D topological superconductivity. Current challenges in realizing topological superconducting nanowires based on tin telluride will also be addressed.