Transport spectroscopy and hybrid devices of transition metal dichalcogenide nanotubes

• Applicant: Dr. Andreas Klaus Hüttel
• Subject Area: Experimental Condensed Matter Physics
• Term: since 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 438640730

Research on quasi-two dimensional, planar transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) is attracting significant attention in every respect. However, not much is known on the low temperature transport properties of TMDC nanotubes. To the best of the applicant's knowledge, apart from our own recent article [doi:10.1002/pssr.201900251] no publications exist so far on Coulomb blockade and low temperature transport spectroscopy; first works in literature show highly promising results on intrinsic superconductivity of the nanotubes at strong ionic doping. In this project, we will investigate semiconducting and superconducting properties of different nanotube materials, starting with MoS2. Using gate-defined potentials and local oxide layers preventing ionic doping, we shall then design novel devices which combine normal-conducting and intrinsically superconducting segments within the same quasi-one dimensional nanotube. Since strong spin-orbit interaction is known to be present in TMDCs, this opens up perspectives towards topological superconductivity and Majorana zero modes.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants