We report on conductance measurements in carbon nanotube based double quantum dots connected to two normal electrodes and a central superconducting finger. By operating our devices as Cooper pair beam splitters, we provide evidence for Crossed Andreev Reflection (CAR). We inject Cooper pairs in the superconducting electrode and measure the differential conductance at both left and right arm. The contacts split the device into two coupled quantum dots. Each of the quantum dots can be tuned by a lateral sidegate. If the two sidegates are tuned such that both quantum dots are at a transmission resonance, a considerable part of the injected Cooper pairs splits into different normal contacts. On the contrary, if only one of the two dots is at resonance, nearly all pairs tunnel to the same normal contact. By comparing different triple points in the double dot stability diagram, we demonstrate the contribution of split Cooper pairs to the total current. In this manner, we are able to extract a splitting efficiency of up to 50% in the resonant case. Carbon Nanotubes ensure ballistic transport and long spin-flip scattering lengths. Due to these properties they are promising candidates to investigate EPR-type correlations in solid state systems.

Plus de vingt ans après la découverte de la supraconductivité à haute température critique, le mécanisme physique sous-jacente n'est pas encore bien cerné. En 2008, la découverte d'une nouvelle famille de supraconducteurs à haute température critique, les supraconducteurs à base de fer, a donné l'espoir de trouver une compréhension plus profonde des mécanismes de ce type de supraconductivité. Synthétiser des l'échantillons de grande qualité, la caractérisation des propriétés supraconductrices, l'étude des symétrices du gap et du paramètre d'ordre sont des étapes essentielles pour révéler le mécanisme. La connaissance précise du mécanisme permettra de profiter pleinement des propriétés remarquables de ces matériaux dans leurs applications industrielles si prometteuses. La thèse décrit d'abord la croissance de monocristaux de Ba$_{1-x}$K$_x$Fe$_2$As$_2$ et l'étude de leurs propriétés supraconductrices, menant vers la proposition d'une structure de gap du supraconducteur et d'un paramètre d'ordre pour les supraconducteurs à base de fer Ba-122 à partir de mesures de résistivité, de sondes à effect Hall, de spectroscopie d'Andreev en mode point-contact et de l'imagerie magnétique par la microscopie à nano-squid.Dans le chapitre 1, les événements historiques les plus marquants de la supraconductivité sont rappelés, les propriétés essentielles des supraconducteurs et le dévelopment des théories de la supraconductivité sont esquissés avant de présenter brièvement la découverte des supraconducteurs à base de fer et de donner un aperçu des questions actuelles de recherche dans ce domaine.Dans le chapitre 2, la procédure de croissance de monocristaux de Ba$_{1-x}$K$_x$Fe$_2$As$_2$ par la méthode de "self-flux", leur caractérisation par diffraction et par l'analyse de dispersion d'énergie des rayons X et la sensibilité des mesures de résistivité et de susceptibilité AC sont décrites. Puis nous présentons quelques résultats des mesures de la résistivité dépendante de la température de monocristaux du composé Ba$_{1-x}$K$_x$Fe$_2$As$_2$ (0,23 $\leq x \leq$ 0,4) sous champs magnétiques allant jusqu'à 9 T et dépendante de l'angle.Dans le chapitre 3, nous exposons quelques points essentiels du système de mesure à base de sonde de Hall que nous avons construit. Ensuite, nous présentons des mesures d'aimantation locale et globale sur des polycristaux de SmFeAsO$_{0.9}$F$_{0.1}$ synthétisés à haute pression, et de monocristaux de Ba$_{0.6}$K$_{0.4}$Fe$_2$As$_2$ effectuées par sonde de Hall et VSM.Dans le chapitre 4, nous donnons une brève introduction à la spectroscopie d'Andreev en mode point-contact, puis nous appliquons cette technique à des monocristaux de Ba$_{0.6}$K$_{0.4}$Fe$_2$As$_2$ et à une série de monocristaux de BaFe$_{2-x}$Ni$_x$As$_2$ couvrant une large gamme de dopage.Dans le chapitre 5, le développement d'un microscope de force à nano-SQUID et les mesures effectuées sur un film Rhénium d'épaisseur de 80 nm sont présentés. Le microscope peut acquérir des images topographiques et magnétiques simultanément. La plage de balayage maximale à 0.8 K est de \unit{70} {\micro\meter} $\times$ \unit{85}{\micro\meter} et sa résolution magnétique est d'environ $1,5 \times10^{-4}\Phi_0/\sqrt{\textrm{Hz}}$. Dans le chapitre 6, nous présentons quelques résultats des mesures de $\lambda$ par imagerie par microscopie de force à nano-squid sur des monocristaux de Ba(Fe$_{1-x}$Ni$_x$)$_2$As$_2$, couvrant tout le diagramme de phase. Sur les m\^{e}mes cristaux ont été effectuées des mesures du premier champ critique, de la variation de fréquence d'un oscillateur à diode tunnel et de la capacité calorifique.Enfin, au chapitre 7, un résumé détaillé et critique est présenté. / More than twenty years after the discovery of high temperature superconductors, the underlying physical mechanism is still not well understood. In 2008, the discovery of a new family of high temperature superconductors, the iron-based superconductors, provided us a new chance to understand the high temperature superconductivity. Synthesizing high quality sample, detecting the basic superconducting properties, the gap structure and order parameter symmetry are essential steps in revealing the mechanism and application of new superconductors. This dissertation describes the growth of Ba$_{1-x}$K$_x$Fe$_2$As$_2$ single crystals and the study of superconducting properties, gap structure and order parameter on Ba-122 iron-based superconductors with resistivity, Hall probe, point contact Andreev reflection spectroscopy and scanning nano-squid microscopy measurements. Some historical events concerning superconductivity are recalled, and some key properties and theories of superconductivity are presented in Chapter 1. Then we will briefly introduce the discovery and current research situation of the iron-based superconductors. In Chapter 2, the growth procedure of Ba$_{1-x}$K$_x$Fe$_2$As$_2$ single crystals with self-flux method, and the characterization of the crystals with diffraction and energy dispersive analysis of x-ray, AC susceptibility and resistivity measurements are described. Then we report some results from temperature dependent resistivity measurements on Ba$_{1-x}$K$_x$Fe$_2$As$_2$ (0.23 $\leq x \leq$ 0.4) single crystals in magnetic fields up to 9 T and angle dependent resistivity measurements on Ba$_{0.6}$K$_{0.4}$Fe$_2$As$_2$ single crystals. In Chapter 3, we introduce some details about a Hall probe measurement system we built. Then we present local and global magnetization measurements on high pressure SmFeAsO$_{0.9}$F$_{0.1}$ polycrystals and Ba$_{0.6}$K$_{0.4}$Fe$_2$As$_2$ single crystals with Hall probe and VSM.In Chapter 4, we give a brief introduction about point contact Andreev reflection spectroscopy, then we report the measurements on Ba$_{0.6}$K$_{0.4}$Fe$_2$As$_2$ single crystal and a series of electron-doped BaFe$_{2-x}$Ni$_x$As$_2$ single crystals over a wide doping range.In Chapter 5, the development of a scanning nano-SQUID force microscope and measurements performed on a 80 nm Rhenium film are presented. The microscope can take topographic and magnetic images simultaneously. The maximal scanning range is \unit{70}{\micro\meter} $\times$ \unit{85}{\micro\meter} and the magnetic resolution is about $1.5 \times10^{-4}\Phi_0/\sqrt{\textrm{Hz}}$. In Chapter 6, we present some results from lower critical field, tunnel diode oscillator, heat capacity and scanning nano-squid microscopy measurements on systematic doped Ba(Fe$_{1-x}$Ni$_x$)$_2$As$_2$ single crystals..Finally, in Chapter 7, a detailed summary is presented.

FAPEMIG - Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais / O conhecimento teórico e experimental acumulado nas últimas décadas sobre pontos quânticos semicondutores (PQs) impulsiona o surgimento de um grande número de propostas atuais de utilizá-los em sistemas híbridos. A habilidade de controlar suas propriedades optoeletrônicas, bem como o domínio de sofisticadas técnicas de fabricação, tornaram-os candidatos ideais para formar junções com supercondutores (SCs), cujas características individuais são também notáveis. Essas junções podem ser simples, com um único PQ acoplado a um SC, ou múltiplas: a conexão de dois terminais SCs através de um PQ (junção tipo Josephson) e a junção de dois PQs através de um SC. Esta última forma um separador de pares de Cooper, dispositivo sugerido como fonte de partículas emaranhadas, que depende fundamentalmente da ocorrência de reflexão de Andreev cruzada (CAR) nas interfaces da junção. Junções de PQs com SCs e com supercondutores topológicos também tem sido propostas em sistemas de dois níveis formando qubits para a computação quântica trivial e topológica. Embora o estudo das junções PQ-SC esteja em evidência atualmente, a revisão da literatura mostra que a análise do regime transiente foi pouco explorada. Por isso, abordamos neste trabalho o transporte de cargas em uma junção PQ-SC-PQ com resolução temporal. Utilizando técnicas de função de Green de não-equilíbrio, particularmente, o formalismo de Kadanoff-Baym, escrevemos um conjunto de equações diferenciais acopladas, solucionado numericamente. Analisando as oscilações de Rabi que surgem na evolução temporal da corrente elétrica e das ocupações dos PQs, fomos capazes de identificar assinaturas de mecanismos de espalhamento através da junção, isto é, o tunelamento direto e a CAR. Adicionalmente, propusemos a expansão deste sistema pela sua inserção na estrutura de um fotodiodo, aplicando luz laser sobre um dos PQs. Os resultados mostram que ocorre a separação dos níveis opticamente excitados em dubletos de Autler-Townes, para acoplamentos fracos entre os PQs. Consequentemente, é observada a ocorrência de CAR, mediada pelo laser aplicado, através dos níveis que compõe o dubleto. Os resultados tem dependência também com a tensão fonte-dreno aplicada ao dispositivo, que pode estar no limite de bias alta (HB) ou zero (ZB). Este é o primeiro trabalho a analisar a separação de pares de Cooper assistida por fótons em uma junção PQ-SC-PQ, em regime de não-equilíbrio. Embora os resultados experimentais ainda sejam escassos, a inclusão de um SC em um fotodiodo de PQs híbrido permite novos mecanismos de formação de fotocorrente, abrindo novas possibilidades de aplicações desse sistema. / The theoretical and experimental knowledge accumulated in the last decades on semiconductors quantum dots (QDs) impulses the emergence of many current proposals for using them in hybrid systems. The ability to control their optoelectronic properties, as well as the control of fabrication techniques, made them the perfect candidates to compose junctions with superconductors (SCs), whose individual characteristics are also remarkable. These junctions can be simple, with a single QD coupled to a SC, or multiple: a connection of two superconducting terminals through a QD (a Josephson-like junction) and the junction of two QDs through a SC. The latter is known as a Cooper-pairs splitter, a device suggested as a source of entangled particles, for which is required the occurrence of crossed Andreev reflection (CAR) on the interfaces of the junction. Junctions of QDs with SCs and with topological SCs have also been proposed in two-level systems as qubits for both trivial and topological quantum computation. Despite the study of QD-SC junctions being currently in evidence, the literature review shows that the analysis of transient regime was little explored. Therefore, we address in this work the topic of time-dependent charge transport in a QD-SC-QD junction. By using non-equilibrium Green functions techniques, particularly, the Kadanoff-Baym formalism, we write down a set of coupled differential equations, which is numerically solved. Examining the Rabi oscillations that appears on the time evolution of electric current and QDs occupations, we were able to identify signatures of the scattering mechanisms through out the junction, i. e., direct tunnelling and CAR. Additionally, we propose to use this system as a photodiode, with the aid of a laser beam over one of the QDs. The results show the splitting of the optically excited states in Autler- Townes doublets, for a weak coupling between the QDs. Hence, CAR mediated by the applied laser was observed through the energy levels that compose the doublet. The results depend also with the source-drain potential applied to the device, which can be high bias (HB) or zero bias (ZB). The present work is the first to analyse the splitting of Cooper pairs assisted by photons in a QD-SC-QD junction, in nonequilibrium regime. Although the experimental results are still sparse, the inclusion of a SC in a QD hybrid photodiode allows new mechanisms of photocurrent formation, creating possibilities in future applications. / Tese (Doutorado)

Les travaux présentés dans cette thèse ont pour objectif d’apporter à la physique mésoscopique un éclairage concernant la compréhension des propriétés de transport électroniques d’une classe de matériaux récemment découverts : les isolants topologiques.La première partie de ce manuscrit est une introduction aux isolants topologiques, mettant en partie l’accent sur leurs spécificités par rapport aux isolants "triviaux" : des états de bords hélicaux (dans le cas de l’effet Hall quantique de spin en 2 dimensions) ou de surface relativistes (pour les isolants topologiques tridimensionnels) robustes vis-à-vis du désordre.La deuxième partie propose une sonde de l’hélicité des états de bords de l’effet Hall quantique de spin en étudiant les propriétés remarquables de l’injection de paires de Cooper dans cette phase topologique.La troisième partie étudie la diffusion des états de surface des isolants topologiques tridimensionnels dans le régime cohérent de phase. L’étude de la diffusion, de la correction quantique à la conductance (antilocalisation faible) et de l’amplitude des fluctuations universelles de conductance de fermions de Dirac sans masse est présentée. Cette étude est aussi menée dans la cas d’états de surface dont la surface de Fermi présente la déformation hexagonale observée expérimentalement. / The works presented in this thesis intend to contribute to condensed matter physics in the understanding of the electronic properties of a recently discovered class of materials : the topological insulators.The first part of this memoir is an introduction to topological insulators, focusing on their specifities compared to "trivial" insulators : helical edge states (in the two dimensional quantum spin Hall effect) or relativistic surface states (for three dimensional topological insulators) both robust agiant disorder.The second part proposes a new way to probe the unique properties of the helical edge states of quantum spin Hall effect via the injection of Cooper pair from a superconductor.The third part deals with the diffusion of the three dimensional topological insulator surface states, in the phase coherent regime. The diffusion, the quantum correction to conductivity, and the amplitude of the universal conductance fluctuations are studied. This study is also led in the experimentally relevant case where the Fermi surface presents a hexagonal deformation.