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Amorphous topological superconductivity in a Shiba glass
Kim Pöyhönen1, Isac Sahlberg1, Alex Westström1
1Department of Applied Physics (LTL), Aalto University, P. O. Box 15100, FI-00076, AALTO, Finland.
Nature Communications
|May 31, 2018
Summary
Researchers developed Shiba glass, a novel amorphous topological quantum matter platform. This disordered system exhibits a topological superconducting phase, opening new avenues for topological materials discovery.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Quantum Materials Science
Background:
- Topological states of matter offer unique quantum phenomena like quantized responses and exotic particles.
- Current research predominantly focuses on crystalline symmetries for topological material realization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce and investigate amorphous topological quantum matter using a novel platform.
- To explore topological properties in systems lacking spatial order.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing an ensemble of randomly distributed magnetic atoms on a superconducting surface (Shiba glass).
- Analyzing the formation of subgap Yu-Shiba-Rusinov states.
- Probing topological edge modes with scanning tunnelling microscopy.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated the formation of a topological superconducting phase at critical magnetic atom density.
- Confirmed the topological state despite the complete absence of spatial order.
- Identified experimental signatures using scanning tunnelling microscopy.
Conclusions:
- Shiba glass provides a feasible platform for amorphous topological quantum matter.
- This work presents a new route to fabricate topological systems from disordered materials.
- The findings enable the creation of novel topological quantum devices.
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