Researchers at the University of Basel and Lund University have generated superconducting pair states of electrons on several segments of a nanowire, separated by grown barriers. Depending on the height of the barriers, these pair states can be coupled and fused.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: (a) Andreev atoms: At high barriers, single, independent Andreev bound states are formed – analogous to two single hydrogen atoms. (b) Andreev molecules: If the barriers between the segments are reduced, coupled Andreev bound states are formed – analogous to a hydrogen molecule. (c) Andreev helium: At very low barriers, the individual ABSs merge so that the pair states extend over the entire nanowire – analogous to a helium atom – conducting electric current without dissipation. Credit: University of Basel The results were published in Communications Physics and provide important insights for the development of new quantum states. In a superconductor, electrons form a kind of pair that results in new material properties such as dissipationless currents. If a semiconducting material is brought into contact with a superconductor, the…