Silicon-Aluminum Phase-Transformation-Induced Superconducting Rings

The development of devices that exhibit both superconducting and semiconducting properties is an important endeavor for emerging quantum technologies. We investigate superconducting nanowires fabricated on a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) platform. Aluminum from deposited contact electrodes is found to interdiffuse with Si along the entire length of the nanowire, over micrometer length scales and at temperatures well below the Al-Si eutectic. The phase-transformed material is conformal with the predefined device patterns. The superconducting properties of a transformed mesoscopic ring formed on a SOI platform are investigated. Low-temperature magnetoresistance oscillations, quantized in units of the fluxoid, h/2e, are observed.

Automated summary

The development of devices with both superconducting and semiconducting properties is crucial for emerging quantum technologies. This study investigates superconducting nanowires made on a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) platform. The interdiffusion of aluminum and silicon along the entire length of the nanowire is observed, even at temperatures much lower than the Al-Si eutectic temperature. The phase-transformed material matches the predefined device patterns. The superconducting properties of a transformed mesoscopic ring on the SOI platform are also examined, and quantized low-temperature magnetoresistance oscillations in units of the fluxoid, h/2e, are observed.