Observation of a Majorana zero mode in a topologically protected edge channel
Abstract
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.
- Authors:
-
- Joseph Henry Laboratories and Department of Physics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA.
- Institute for Natural Sciences, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China., School of Science, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China.
- Publication Date:
- Sponsoring Org.:
- USDOE
- OSTI Identifier:
- 1529747
- Grant/Contract Number:
- de- sc0016239
- Resource Type:
- Published Article
- Journal Name:
- Science
- Additional Journal Information:
- Journal Name: Science Journal Volume: 364 Journal Issue: 6447; Journal ID: ISSN 0036-8075
- Publisher:
- American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Citation Formats
Jäck, Berthold, Xie, Yonglong, Li, Jian, Jeon, Sangjun, Bernevig, B. Andrei, and Yazdani, Ali. Observation of a Majorana zero mode in a topologically protected edge channel. United States: N. p., 2019.
Web. doi:10.1126/science.aax1444.
Jäck, Berthold, Xie, Yonglong, Li, Jian, Jeon, Sangjun, Bernevig, B. Andrei, & Yazdani, Ali. Observation of a Majorana zero mode in a topologically protected edge channel. United States. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aax1444
Jäck, Berthold, Xie, Yonglong, Li, Jian, Jeon, Sangjun, Bernevig, B. Andrei, and Yazdani, Ali. Thu .
"Observation of a Majorana zero mode in a topologically protected edge channel". United States. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aax1444.
@article{osti_1529747,
title = {Observation of a Majorana zero mode in a topologically protected edge channel},
author = {Jäck, Berthold and Xie, Yonglong and Li, Jian and Jeon, Sangjun and Bernevig, B. Andrei and Yazdani, Ali},
abstractNote = {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.},
doi = {10.1126/science.aax1444},
journal = {Science},
number = 6447,
volume = 364,
place = {United States},
year = {2019},
month = {6}
}
https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aax1444
Web of Science
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