Molecular beam epitaxy of superconducting PdTe2 films on topological insulator Bi2Te3

Majorana fermions have been observed in topological insulator/s-wave superconductor heterostructures. To manipulate Majorana fermions, superconducting materials should be deposited on the surfaces of topological insulators. In this study, highquality superconducting PdTe2 films are deposited on the topological insulator Bi2Te3 surface using molecular beam epitaxy. The surface topography and electronic properties of PdTe2/Bi2Te3 heterostructures are investigated via in situ scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy. Under Te-rich conditions, the Pd atoms presumably form PdTe2 film on Bi2Te3 surface rather than diffuse into Bi2Te3. The superconductivity of the PdTe2/Bi2Te3 heterostructure is detected at a transition temperature of similar to 1.4 K using the two-coil mutual inductance technique. This study proposes a method for fabricating superconducting materials on topological insulator surfaces at low doping levels, paving ways for designing nanodevices that can manipulate Majorana fermions.