Abstract
Topological superconductivity emerging in one- or two-dimensional hybrid materials is predicted as a key ingredient for quantum computing. However, not only the design of complex heterostructures is primordial for future applications but also the characterization of their electronic and structural properties at the atomic scale using the most advanced scanning probe microscopy techniques with functionalized tips. We report on the topographic signatures observed by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) of carbon monoxide (CO) molecules, iron (Fe) atoms and sodium chloride (NaCl) islands deposited on superconducting Pb(111). For the CO adsorption a comparison with the Pb(110) substrate is demonstrated. We show a general propensity of these adsorbates to diffuse at low temperature under gentle scanning conditions. Our findings provide new insights into high-resolution probe microscopy imaging with terminated tips, decoupling atoms and molecules by NaCl islands or tip-induced lateral manipulation of iron atoms on top of the prototypical Pb(111) superconducting surface.
Highlights
The most exciting manifestation of topological superconductivity [1,2,3] is the Majorana zero mode (MZM), which has attracted a tremendous interest due to its non-Abelian quantum exchange statistics proposed as a key ingredient for topological quantum computing [4,5,6]
We report on the topographic signatures observed by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) of carbon monoxide (CO) molecules, iron (Fe) atoms and sodium chloride (NaCl) islands deposited on superconducting Pb(111)
Our results report on the systematic characterization by STM of the adsorption of carbon monoxide (CO), sodium chloride (NaCl) and iron adatoms (Fe) on the superconducting Pb(111) surface at low temperature (4.7 K)
Summary
The most exciting manifestation of topological superconductivity [1,2,3] is the Majorana zero mode (MZM), which has attracted a tremendous interest due to its non-Abelian quantum exchange statistics proposed as a key ingredient for topological quantum computing [4,5,6]. We report on the topographic signatures observed by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) of carbon monoxide (CO) molecules, iron (Fe) atoms and sodium chloride (NaCl) islands deposited on superconducting Pb(111). Our findings provide new insights into high-resolution probe microscopy imaging with terminated tips, decoupling atoms and molecules by NaCl islands or tip-induced lateral manipulation of iron atoms on top of the prototypical Pb(111) superconducting surface.
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