Superconductivity in the topologically protected surface states of a three-dimensional topological insulator has been predicted to be a promising platform for exploring exotic quantum states such as Majorana fermion excitations. Although previous efforts have focused on the superconducting proximity effect in bilayer structures between a superconductor and a chalcogenide topological insulator, suppressing the conducting bulk contribution and securing high interfacial transparency between a superconductor and a topological insulator have been major experimental bottlenecks to demonstrating induced superconductivity. Researchers from the Center for Nanophysics and Advanced Materials led by Ichiro Takeuchi, in collaboration with Richard Greene and Johnpierre Paglione, have now demonstrated a supercurrent to flow through the surface layer of the topological Kondo insulator material samarium hexaboride (SmB6) via in situ deposition of a superconducting layer on SmB6 thin films. Published in Physical Review X, this study provides a unique insight into the surface state of SmB6, and marks an important stepping stone for pursuing novel quantum phenomena using thin-film topological insulator devices.

Democracy Then & Now is a campus-wide initiative exploring the central role of public education in the development of American democracy. DTN asks students, faculty, and staff to consider what good public education means now in terms of civic participation, political representation, and full citizenship rights for all people in this country.

On Thursday, Oct. 20, Professor Tom Cohen will discuss American Democracy and Science at 4 pm in the lobby of the Physical Sciences Complex, with light refreshments at 3:30 p.m.

Ted Jacobson tells Christian Science Monitor why he is hesitant to celebrate Jeff Steinhauer's detection of quantum Hawking radiation. 

Katharine Gebbie, founding Director of the Physical Measurement Laboratory of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), died on August 17, 2016.

NIST

Katharine spent her career at NIST, where she oversaw the work that led to four Nobel Prizes in Physics (Bill Phillips, Eric Cornell, Jan Hall, and Dave Wineland).  This achievement was directly due to her management style,
which placed the science and scientists above all else. In her words, "get the best people, steer them in the right direction, give them the resources they need and let them run.” 

She was a fascinating individual, the niece of Katharine Blodgett, of
Langmuir-Blodgett film renown.  Katharine credited her aunt with inspiring her devotion to science.  She received a PhD in astrophysics from University College (London), and joined NIST in Boulder as a postdoc.  She moved to Gaithersburg in the late 80’s and was the only director of the Physics Lab, which was in existence for 20 years.

In addition to her special role at NIST, she had a deep and important relationship with UMD Physics.  The existence of the Joint Quantum Institute (JQI) is in large part due to Katharine.  She had seen first hand the success of JILA in Boulder and was enthusiastically encouraging and supported the creation of the JQI in 2006. 

In addition to her connection to the department through the JQI, she was dedicated to working to increase the opportunities in physics for women and under-represented minorities.  She was a co-organizer with Donna Hammer and Angie Hight Walker, from NIST, of a Conference for Undergraduate Women in Physics in 2014, which brought over one hundred undergraduate female physics majors to campus.  With Donna and Angie, she was working on a Conference for Undergraduate Minorities in Physics to be held this October, which will be the first of its kind in the country.

Everyone who knew Katharine will miss her and her wry sense of humor.  She was a special individual.

WJLA talks to Donna Hammer about the University of Maryland Physics Department Summer Outreach Programs.