Spatially Dependent in-Gap States Induced by Andreev Tunneling through a Single Electronic State

Abstract

By using low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy (STM/STS), we observe in-gap states induced by Andreev tunneling through a single impurity state in a low carrier density superconductor (NaAlSi). The energy-symmetric in-gap states appear when the impurity state is located within the superconducting gap. In-gap states can cross the Fermi level, and they show X-shaped spatial variation. We interpret the in-gap states as a consequence of the Andreev tunneling through the impurity state, which involves the formation or breakup of a Cooper pair. Due to the low carrier density in NaAlSi, the in-gap state is tunable by controlling the STM tip–sample distance. Under strong external magnetic fields, the impurity state shows Zeeman splitting when it is located near the Fermi level. Our findings not only demonstrate the Andreev tunneling involving single electronic state but also provide new insights for understanding the spatially dependent in-gap states in low carrier density superconductors.