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Chiral superconductivity in heavy-fermion metal UTe2
Lin Jiao1, Sean Howard1, Sheng Ran2,3
1Department of Physics and Materials Research Laboratory, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
Nature
|March 28, 2020
Summary
Researchers explored UTe2, a heavy-fermion superconductor, using scanning tunnelling microscopy. They found evidence suggesting it may be a chiral-triplet topological superconductor, a rare state with potential for Majorana edge modes.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Materials Science
- Quantum Materials
Background:
- Spin-triplet superconductors are rare, with chiral p-wave states offering topological properties and Majorana edge modes.
- Uranium-based heavy-fermion systems are promising for spin-triplet superconductivity due to strong correlations and magnetism.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the heavy-fermion superconductor UTe2 using scanning tunnelling microscopy.
- Search for signatures of topological superconductivity and chiral states.
Main Methods:
- Scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM) and spectroscopy.
- Investigated the coexistence and spatial modulations of Kondo effect and superconductivity.
- Analyzed spectroscopic data at step edges for chiral in-gap states.
Main Results:
- Observed competing spatial modulations of Kondo effect and superconductivity within a unit cell.
- Detected signatures of chiral in-gap states at step edges.
- These findings align with predictions for topological superconductors.
Conclusions:
- UTe2 exhibits coexisting Kondo effect and superconductivity with distinct spatial modulations.
- The identified chiral in-gap states strongly suggest UTe2 is a candidate for chiral-triplet topological superconductivity.
- This discovery opens avenues for realizing Majorana edge modes in solid-state systems.
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