Proximity-Induced Topological Superconductivity in MnBi2Te4/NbSe2 van der Waals Heterostructures: Zero-Bias Conductance Peaks, 2e Josephson Periodicity, and Majorana Signature Analysis

This study investigates proximity-induced topological superconductivity in MnBi2Te4/NbSe2 van der Waals heterostructures, investigating zero-bias conductance peaks, 2e Josephson supercurrent periodicity, and topological edge state signatures at sub-kelvin temperatures within the context of condensed matter physics and topological quantum materials, an area of growing scientific importance given its implications for Majorana-based topological qubit development, quantum error correction via non-Abelian anyons, and van der Waals heterostructure platform for topological quantum computing. Using differential conductance spectroscopy (dI/dV vs. V) at 20 mK in dilution refrigerator, Josephson junction geometry with AC susceptibility, field-dependent gap and zero-bias peak (ZBP) evolution with perpendicular magnetic field, and edge vs. bulk transport comparison in Hall bar geometry, we examine MnBi2Te4 topological insulator with intrinsic antiferromagnetic order supplying time-reversal symmetry breaking needed for topological superconductor phase when proximitized by NbSe2; proximity-induced pairing gap in topological surface states creating Majorana bound states at vortex cores and magnetic domain boundaries in appropriate magnetic field window in 8 MnBi2Te4/NbSe2 heterostructure devices (5 tunnel junction, 3 Josephson junction geometry) with layer number 1-7 SL; each device measured over 8+ cooldown cycles; 48 field-sweep measurements per device drawn from Northern Quantum Institute dilution refrigerator facility (Oxford Triton 200, base T=12 mK), glove-box van der Waals assembly (N2 atmosphere, <0.1 ppm O2/H2O), and electron beam lithography for device patterning. Results indicate that ZBP observed in 5/5 tunnel junction devices in magnetic field window 0.24-0.84 T for odd-SL MnBi2Te4 (even-SL shows no ZBP); Josephson junction shows 2e periodicity (h/2e flux quantum) in topological phase consistent with Majorana fermion mediated transport; ZBP height 0.48 e^2/h (below 2e^2/h ideal Majorana but consistent with finite-T broadening) (p < 0.001), with ZBP in 5/5 odd-SL devices; 2e Josephson periodicity; ZBP height 0.48 e^2/h as the primary quantitative benchmark. Concordance between primary and confirmatory measurement approaches exceeded 93%, validating the analytical framework. These findings contribute empirically to condensed matter physics and topological quantum materials and carry actionable implications for the design of programs and policies targeting Majorana-based topological qubit development, quantum error correction via non-Abelian anyons, and van der Waals heterostructure platform for topological quantum computing.