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Topological Superconductivity in Doped Magnetic Moiré Semiconductors
Valentin Crépel1, Daniele Guerci1, Jennifer Cano1,2
1Center for Computational Quantum Physics, Flatiron Institute, New York, New York 10010, USA.
Physical Review Letters
|August 18, 2023
Summary
We demonstrate that doping transition metal dichalcogenide heterobilayers can create topological superconductivity. This enables access to the p-wave BEC-BCS transition, featuring helical Majorana edge modes.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Materials Science
- Quantum Materials
Background:
- Superconductivity in moiré heterostructures is a rapidly developing field.
- Topological superconductivity offers unique quantum phenomena, including Majorana modes.
- Transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) heterobilayers provide a tunable platform for exploring novel electronic states.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the emergence of topological superconductivity in doped TMD heterobilayers.
- To explore the mechanism of p-wave superconductivity and its connection to magnetic states.
- To identify the topological protection mechanisms and resulting quantum properties.
Main Methods:
- Doping of transition metal dichalcogenide heterobilayers.
- Theoretical modeling of moiré bands and electronic interactions.
- Analysis of emergent time-reversal symmetry and excitonic physics.
Main Results:
- Topological superconductivity emerges above an integer-filling magnetic state.
- An electric p-wave Feshbach resonance generates tunable effective attraction between charge carriers.
- Access to the p-wave Bose-Einstein condensate-Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer (BEC-BCS) transition is achieved.
- Emergent time-reversal symmetry provides topological protection.
Conclusions:
- Doped TMD heterobilayers are a promising platform for realizing topological superconductivity.
- The discovered mechanism allows for robust p-wave superconductivity and Majorana edge modes.
- The findings pave the way for novel quantum devices and fundamental physics explorations.
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