Abstract

The chiral p-wave superconductor is the archetypal example of a state of matter that supports non-Abelian anyons, a highly desired type of exotic quasiparticle. With this, it is foundational for the distant goal of building a topological quantum computer. While some candidate materials for bulk chiral superconductors exist, they are subject of an ongoing debate about their actual paring state. Here we propose an alternative route to chiral superconductivity, consisting of the surface of an ordinary superconductor decorated with a two-dimensional lattice of magnetic impurities. We furthermore identify a promising experimental platform to realize this proposal.

Highlights

  • The chiral p-wave superconductor is the archetypal example of a state of matter that supports non-Abelian anyons, a highly desired type of exotic quasiparticle

  • As the phasespace for the existence of a topological superconductor is controlled by the Zeeman gap[24], these systems require a delicate balance of the parameters involved in order to create the topological superconductor

  • In the case of Fe adatoms on a Pb (111) surface, we show that strong magnetic order in general leads to an odd number of 2D Fermi surface segments

Read more

Summary

Introduction

The chiral p-wave superconductor is the archetypal example of a state of matter that supports non-Abelian anyons, a highly desired type of exotic quasiparticle It is foundational for the distant goal of building a topological quantum computer. In one dimension (1D), based on the principle of combining spin-orbit coupling and externally applied magnetic fields, various groups have proposed engineering artificial realizations of p-wave superconductors[16,17,18,19,20,21,22]. An experimental realization of these proposals employing semiconductor nanowires with strong spin-orbit coupling[23] has reported Majorana fermion signatures. In this setup, the externally applied magnetic field has to be rather small (to avoid suppressing superconductivity). A similar scenario applies when the Fe orbitals are magnetic but itinerant[24]

Methods
Results
Conclusion

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.