Journal Article

FZJ-2020-03292

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Controlling in-gap end states by linking nonmagnetic atoms and artificially-constructed spin chains on superconductors

Schneider, L. ; Brinker, S.FZJ* ; Steinbrecher, M. ; Hermenau, J. ; Posske, T. ; dos Santos Dias, M.FZJ* ; Lounis, S.FZJ* ; Wiesendanger, R. ; Wiebe, J. (Corresponding author)

2020
Nature Publishing Group UK [London]

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Please use a persistent id in citations: http://hdl.handle.net/2128/25823  doi:10.1038/s41467-020-18540-3

Abstract: Chains of magnetic atoms with either strong spin-orbit coupling or spiral magnetic order which are proximity-coupled to superconducting substrates can host topologically non-trivial Majorana bound states. The experimental signature of these states consists of spectral weight at the Fermi energy which is spatially localized near the ends of the chain. However, topologically trivial Yu-Shiba-Rusinov in-gap states localized near the ends of the chain can lead to similar spectra. Here, we explore a protocol to disentangle these contributions by artificially augmenting a candidate Majorana spin chain with orbitally-compatible nonmagnetic atoms. Combining scanning tunneling spectroscopy with ab-initio and tight-binding calculations, we realize a sharp spatial transition between the proximity-coupled spiral magnetic order and the non-magnetic superconducting wire termination, with persistent zero-energy spectral weight localized at either end of the magnetic spiral. Our findings open a new path towards the control of the spatial position of in-gap end states, trivial or Majorana, via different chain terminations, and the realization of designer Majorana chain networks for demonstrating topological quantum computation.

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. Quanten-Theorie der Materialien (IAS-1)
2. Quanten-Theorie der Materialien (PGI-1)
3. JARA-FIT (JARA-FIT)
4. JARA - HPC (JARA-HPC)

Research Program(s):

1. 142 - Controlling Spin-Based Phenomena (POF3-142) (POF3-142)
2. First-principles investigation of single magnetic nano-skyrmions (jias17_20190501) (jias17_20190501)
3. First-principles investigation of long range effects in magnetic nanostructures (jias1c_20191101) (jias1c_20191101)

Appears in the scientific report 2020

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