Applied Physics Letters

Vortex arrays and strong proximity coupling in Nb/Au bilayers

W Wenbin Li (College of Life Science, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, China.) I Ivan Villani (NEST, Istituto Nanoscienze-CNR and Scuola Normale Superiore 2 , Piazza San Silvestro 12, 56127 Pisa,) Y Ylea Vlamidis (NEST, Istituto Nanoscienze-CNR and Scuola Normale Superiore 2 , Piazza San Silvestro 12, 56127 Pisa,) M Matteo Carrega (CNR-SPIN 3 , Via Dodecaneso 33, 16146 Genova,) L Letizia Ferbel (NEST, Istituto Nanoscienze-CNR and Scuola Normale Superiore 2 , Piazza San Silvestro 12, 56127 Pisa,) L Leonardo Sabattini (Center for Nanotechnology Innovation@NEST, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia 4 , Piazza S. Silvestro 12, 56127 Pisa,) A Antonio Rossi W Wen Si (The Institute for Solid State Physics, The University of Tokyo 1 , 5-1-5 Kashiwa-no-ha, Kashiwa, 277-8581 Chiba,) S Stefano Veronesi (NEST, Istituto Nanoscienze-CNR and Scuola Normale Superiore 2 , Piazza San Silvestro 12, 56127 Pisa,) C Camilla Coletti S Sergio Pezzini (NEST, Istituto Nanoscienze-CNR and Scuola Normale Superiore 2 , Piazza San Silvestro 12, 56127 Pisa,) M Masahiro Haze (The Institute for Solid State Physics, The University of Tokyo 1 , 5-1-5 Kashiwa-no-ha, Kashiwa, 277-8581 Chiba,) Y Yukio Hasegawa (The Institute for Solid State Physics, The University of Tokyo 1 , 5-1-5 Kashiwa-no-ha, Kashiwa, 277-8581 Chiba,) S Stefan Heun (NEST, Istituto Nanoscienze-CNR and Scuola Normale Superiore 2 , Piazza San Silvestro 12, 56127 Pisa,)

Abstract

Owing to its superconducting properties, niobium (Nb) is an excellent candidate material for superconducting electronics and applications in quantum technology. Here, we perform scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy experiments on Nb films covered by a thin gold (Au) film. We investigate the minigap structure of the proximitized region and provide evidence for a transparent interface between Nb and Au, beneficial for device applications. Imaging of Abrikosov vortices in the presence of a perpendicular magnetic field is reported. Our results show robust and homogeneous superconducting properties of thin Nb films in the presence of a gold capping layer. The Au film not only protects the Nb from surface oxidation but also preserves its excellent superconducting properties.

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Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 127, Issue 19
Published November 10, 2025
ISSN 0003-6951
Publisher American Institute of Physics

Journal Info

Applied Physics Letters

American Institute of Physics
ISSN: 0003-6951 Physical Sciences

Authors (14)

W

Wenbin Li

College of Life Science, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, China.

I

Ivan Villani

NEST, Istituto Nanoscienze-CNR and Scuola Normale Superiore 2 , Piazza San Silvestro 12, 56127 Pisa,

Y

Ylea Vlamidis

NEST, Istituto Nanoscienze-CNR and Scuola Normale Superiore 2 , Piazza San Silvestro 12, 56127 Pisa,

M

Matteo Carrega

CNR-SPIN 3 , Via Dodecaneso 33, 16146 Genova,

L

Letizia Ferbel

NEST, Istituto Nanoscienze-CNR and Scuola Normale Superiore 2 , Piazza San Silvestro 12, 56127 Pisa,

L

Leonardo Sabattini

Center for Nanotechnology Innovation@NEST, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia 4 , Piazza S. Silvestro 12, 56127 Pisa,

A

Antonio Rossi

W

Wen Si

The Institute for Solid State Physics, The University of Tokyo 1 , 5-1-5 Kashiwa-no-ha, Kashiwa, 277-8581 Chiba,

S

Stefano Veronesi

NEST, Istituto Nanoscienze-CNR and Scuola Normale Superiore 2 , Piazza San Silvestro 12, 56127 Pisa,

C

Camilla Coletti

S

Sergio Pezzini

NEST, Istituto Nanoscienze-CNR and Scuola Normale Superiore 2 , Piazza San Silvestro 12, 56127 Pisa,

M

Masahiro Haze

The Institute for Solid State Physics, The University of Tokyo 1 , 5-1-5 Kashiwa-no-ha, Kashiwa, 277-8581 Chiba,

Y

Yukio Hasegawa

The Institute for Solid State Physics, The University of Tokyo 1 , 5-1-5 Kashiwa-no-ha, Kashiwa, 277-8581 Chiba,

S

Stefan Heun

NEST, Istituto Nanoscienze-CNR and Scuola Normale Superiore 2 , Piazza San Silvestro 12, 56127 Pisa,

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