Discrete energy levels of Caroli-de Gennes-Matricon states in quantum limit in FeTe0.55Se0.45

Mingyang Chen,Mingyang Chen,Hai-Hu Wen,Huan Yang,Huan Yang,Enyu Wang,Enyu Wang,Xiaoyu Chen,Xiaoyu Chen,Zengyi Du,Xiyu Zhu,Xiyu Zhu

doi:10.1038/s41467-018-03404-8

Abstract

Caroli-de Gennes-Matricon (CdGM) states were predicted in 1964 as low-energy excitations within vortex cores of type-II superconductors. In the quantum limit, the energy levels of these states were predicted to be discrete with the basic levels at ±μΔ2/EF (μ = 1/2, 3/2, 5/2, …) with Δ the superconducting energy gap and EF the Fermi energy. However, due to the small ratio of Δ/EF in most type-II superconductors, it is very difficult to observe the discrete CdGM states, but rather a symmetric peak which appears at zero bias at the vortex center. Here we report the clear observation of these discrete energy levels of CdGM states in FeTe0.55Se0.45. The rather stable energies of these bound state peaks vs. space clearly validate our conclusion. Analysis based on the energies of these CdGM states indicates that the Fermi energy in the present system is very small.

Highlights

Caroli-de Gennes-Matricon (CdGM) states were predicted in 1964 as low-energy excitations within vortex cores of type-II superconductors
density of states (DOS) arising from many symmetric CdGM states when the quantum limit situation T/Tc ≪ Δ/EF is not satisfied
The bound state peak of the lowest energy level has been argued for the quantum limit in aYnNdi2iBro2Cn-b(arseefd.7)s,upYeBrac2oCn3dOu7c−toδrs(1r0e–f1.82),wBhii2leSrt2hCeacCleua2rOe8v+iδde(nrceef.9o)f, the discrete CdGM states is still lacking

Summary

Introduction

Caroli-de Gennes-Matricon (CdGM) states were predicted in 1964 as low-energy excitations within vortex cores of type-II superconductors. In addition to the discrete energy levels mentioned above, we observed some vortices with different patterns of vortex bound states.

Results

Conclusion