Charge transport spectra in superconductor-InAs/GaSb-superconductor heterostructures

Abstract Charge transport physics in InAs/GaSb bi-layer systems has recently attracted attention for the experimental search for two-dimensional topological superconducting states in solids. Here we report measurement of charge transport spectra of nano devices consisting of an InAs/GaSb quantum well sandwiched by tantalum superconductors. We explore the current-voltage relation as a function of the charge-carrier density in the quantum well controlled by a gate voltage and an external magnetic field. We observe three types of differential resistance peaks, all of which can be effectively tuned by the external magnetic field, and, however, two of which appear at electric currents independent of the gate voltage, indicating a dominant mechanism from the superconductor and the system geometry. By analyzing the spectroscopic features, we find that the three types of peaks identify Andreev reflections, quasi-particle interference, and superconducting transitions in the device, respectively. Our results provide a basis for further exploration of possible topological superconducting state in the InAs/GaSb system.