Topological superconductivity in skyrmion lattices

Abstract Atomic manipulation and interface engineering techniques have provided an intriguing approach to custom-designing topological superconductors and the ensuing Majorana zero modes, representing a paradigm for the realization of topological quantum computing and topology-based devices. Magnet-...

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Main Authors: Eric Mascot, Jasmin Bedow, Martin Graham, Stephan Rachel, Dirk K. Morr
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2021-01-01
Series:npj Quantum Materials
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41535-020-00299-x
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author Eric Mascot
Jasmin Bedow
Martin Graham
Stephan Rachel
Dirk K. Morr
author_facet Eric Mascot
Jasmin Bedow
Martin Graham
Stephan Rachel
Dirk K. Morr
author_sort Eric Mascot
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Atomic manipulation and interface engineering techniques have provided an intriguing approach to custom-designing topological superconductors and the ensuing Majorana zero modes, representing a paradigm for the realization of topological quantum computing and topology-based devices. Magnet-superconductor hybrid (MSH) systems have proven to be experimentally suitable to engineer topological superconductivity through the control of both the complex structure of its magnetic layer and the interface properties of the superconducting surface. Here, we demonstrate that two-dimensional MSH systems containing a magnetic skyrmion lattice provide an unprecedented ability to control the emergence of topological phases. By changing the skyrmion radius, which can be achieved experimentally through an external magnetic field, one can tune between different topological superconducting phases, allowing one to explore their unique properties and the transitions between them. In these MSH systems, Josephson scanning tunneling spectroscopy spatially visualizes one of the most crucial aspects underlying the emergence of topological superconductivity, the spatial structure of the induced spin–triplet correlations.
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spelling doaj.art-37207aa9eb3e4175bb9aa6b1802c7c8a2022-12-21T21:52:09ZengNature Portfolionpj Quantum Materials2397-46482021-01-01611610.1038/s41535-020-00299-xTopological superconductivity in skyrmion latticesEric Mascot0Jasmin Bedow1Martin Graham2Stephan Rachel3Dirk K. Morr4Department of Physics, University of Illinois at ChicagoDepartment of Physics, University of Illinois at ChicagoDepartment of Physics, University of Illinois at ChicagoSchool of Physics, University of MelbourneDepartment of Physics, University of Illinois at ChicagoAbstract Atomic manipulation and interface engineering techniques have provided an intriguing approach to custom-designing topological superconductors and the ensuing Majorana zero modes, representing a paradigm for the realization of topological quantum computing and topology-based devices. Magnet-superconductor hybrid (MSH) systems have proven to be experimentally suitable to engineer topological superconductivity through the control of both the complex structure of its magnetic layer and the interface properties of the superconducting surface. Here, we demonstrate that two-dimensional MSH systems containing a magnetic skyrmion lattice provide an unprecedented ability to control the emergence of topological phases. By changing the skyrmion radius, which can be achieved experimentally through an external magnetic field, one can tune between different topological superconducting phases, allowing one to explore their unique properties and the transitions between them. In these MSH systems, Josephson scanning tunneling spectroscopy spatially visualizes one of the most crucial aspects underlying the emergence of topological superconductivity, the spatial structure of the induced spin–triplet correlations.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41535-020-00299-x
spellingShingle Eric Mascot
Jasmin Bedow
Martin Graham
Stephan Rachel
Dirk K. Morr
Topological superconductivity in skyrmion lattices
npj Quantum Materials
title Topological superconductivity in skyrmion lattices
title_full Topological superconductivity in skyrmion lattices
title_fullStr Topological superconductivity in skyrmion lattices
title_full_unstemmed Topological superconductivity in skyrmion lattices
title_short Topological superconductivity in skyrmion lattices
title_sort topological superconductivity in skyrmion lattices
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41535-020-00299-x
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AT jasminbedow topologicalsuperconductivityinskyrmionlattices
AT martingraham topologicalsuperconductivityinskyrmionlattices
AT stephanrachel topologicalsuperconductivityinskyrmionlattices
AT dirkkmorr topologicalsuperconductivityinskyrmionlattices