scholarly journals Distinguishing a Majorana zero mode using spin-resolved measurements

Science ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 358 (6364) ◽  
pp. 772-776 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sangjun Jeon ◽  
Yonglong Xie ◽  
Jian Li ◽  
Zhijun Wang ◽  
B. Andrei Bernevig ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spin Polarization ◽  
Zero Mode ◽  
Direct Consequence ◽  
Scanning Tunneling ◽  
Tunneling Microscopy ◽  
Model Calculations ◽  
One Dimensional ◽  
Topological Superconductors ◽  
Spin Polarized ◽  
Gap States

One-dimensional topological superconductors host Majorana zero modes (MZMs), the nonlocal property of which could be exploited for quantum computing applications. We use spin-polarized scanning tunneling microscopy to show that MZMs realized in self-assembled Fe chains on the surface of Pb have a spin polarization that exceeds that stemming from the magnetism of these chains. This feature, captured by our model calculations, is a direct consequence of the nonlocality of the Hilbert space of MZMs emerging from a topological band structure. Our study establishes spin-polarization measurements as a diagnostic tool to distinguish topological MZMs from trivial in-gap states of a superconductor.

scholarly journals Observation of a Majorana zero mode in a topologically protected edge channel

Science ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 364 (6447) ◽  
pp. 1255-1259 ◽  
Author(s):  
Berthold Jäck ◽  
Yonglong Xie ◽  
Jian Li ◽  
Sangjun Jeon ◽  
B. Andrei Bernevig ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Scanning Tunneling Microscopy ◽  
Zero Mode ◽  
Scanning Tunneling ◽  
Zero Energy ◽  
Tunneling Microscopy ◽  
Model Calculations ◽  
Iron Clusters ◽  
Edge Channel ◽  
Zero Modes ◽  
Gap States

Superconducting proximity pairing in helical edge modes, such as those of topological insulators, is predicted to provide a unique platform for realizing Majorana zero modes (MZMs). We used scanning tunneling microscopy measurements to probe the influence of proximity-induced superconductivity and magnetism on the helical hinge states of bismuth(111) films grown on a superconducting niobium substrate and decorated with magnetic iron clusters. Consistent with model calculations, our measurements revealed the emergence of a localized MZM at the interface between the superconducting helical edge channel and the iron clusters, with a strong magnetization component along the edge. Our experiments also resolve the MZM’s spin signature, which distinguishes it from trivial in-gap states that may accidentally occur at zero energy in a superconductor.

Atomic structure and spin polarization at the apex of tips used in spin-polarized scanning tunneling microscopy

2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 025204 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shigekazu Nagai ◽  
Koichi Hata ◽  
Hirofumi Oka ◽  
Dirk Sander ◽  
Jürgen Kirschner
Keyword(s):  
Scanning Tunneling Microscopy ◽  
Spin Polarization ◽  
Atomic Structure ◽  
Scanning Tunneling ◽  
Tunneling Microscopy ◽  
Spin Polarized

Magnetic Response and Spin Polarization of Bulk Cr Tips for In-Field Spin-Polarized Scanning Tunneling Microscopy

2012 ◽  
Vol 51 ◽  
pp. 030208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Corbetta ◽  
Safia Ouazi ◽  
Jérôme Borme ◽  
Yasmine Nahas ◽  
Fabio Donati ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Scanning Tunneling Microscopy ◽  
Spin Polarization ◽  
Scanning Tunneling ◽  
Magnetic Response ◽  
Tunneling Microscopy ◽  
Spin Polarized

Magnetic Response and Spin Polarization of Bulk Cr Tips for In-Field Spin-Polarized Scanning Tunneling Microscopy

2012 ◽  
Vol 51 (3R) ◽  
pp. 030208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Corbetta ◽  
Safia Ouazi ◽  
Jérôme Borme ◽  
Yasmine Nahas ◽  
Fabio Donati ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Scanning Tunneling Microscopy ◽  
Spin Polarization ◽  
Scanning Tunneling ◽  
Magnetic Response ◽  
Tunneling Microscopy ◽  
Spin Polarized

scholarly journals Robust topological edge states and superconductivity in few-layer stanene

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chenxiao Zhao ◽  
Leiqiang Li ◽  
Liying Zhang ◽  
Jin Qin ◽  
Haiyang Ma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Convincing Evidence ◽  
Quantum Spin ◽  
Scanning Tunneling ◽  
Edge States ◽  
Tunneling Microscopy ◽  
Hydrogen Atoms ◽  
One Dimensional ◽  
Topological Superconductors ◽  
Nontrivial Topology

Abstract Stanene was proposed to be a large-gap quantum spin Hall insulator, yet to date, convincing evidence of topological edge states in stanene remains to be seen, partly due to the fact that the topological property depends on the interplay between substrate, chemical functionalization, and layer thickness. Here we fabricate 1-5 layer high-quality stanene films on the Bi(111) substrate by using hydrogen atoms as surfactants, and demonstrate their strikingly robust nontrivial topology using scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy and first-principles calculations. The observed topological edge states possess a bilateral-penetration depth shorter than 4 nm, allowing the formation of dense and parallel multi-edge-channels. Our calculations further show that surface hydrogenation helps to improve the quality of stanene films, while the Bi substrate endows the films with robust nontrivial topology. These stanene films also exhibit superconductivity, and the coexistence of nontrivial topology and superconductivity renders them distinct potential to become the simplest one-dimensional topological superconductors.

scholarly journals Describing chain-like assembly of ethoxygroup-functionalized organic molecules on Au(111) using high-throughput simulations

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lokamani ◽  
Jeffrey Kelling ◽  
Robin Ohmann ◽  
Jörg Meyer ◽  
Tim Kühne ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Throughput ◽  
Energy Function ◽  
Organic Molecules ◽  
Molecular Wires ◽  
Scanning Tunneling ◽  
Tunneling Microscopy ◽  
Intermolecular Interaction Energy ◽  
One Dimensional ◽  
Coverage Density ◽  
Clustering Approach

AbstractDue to the low corrugation of the Au(111) surface, 1,4-bis(phenylethynyl)-2,5-bis(ethoxy)benzene (PEEB) molecules can form quasi interlocked lateral patterns, which are observed in scanning tunneling microscopy experiments at low temperatures. We demonstrate a multi-dimensional clustering approach to quantify the anisotropic pair-wise interaction of molecules and explain these patterns. We perform high-throughput calculations to evaluate an energy function, which incorporates the adsorption energy of single PEEB molecules on the metal surface and the intermolecular interaction energy of a pair of PEEB molecules. The analysis of the energy function reveals, that, depending on coverage density, specific types of pattern are preferred which can potentially be exploited to form one-dimensional molecular wires on Au(111).

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