Interface-induced superconductivity in magnetic topological insulators

Hemian Yi, Yi Fan Zhao, Ying Ting Chan, Jiaqi Cai, Ruobing Mei, Xianxin Wu, Zi Jie Yan, Ling Jie Zhou, Ruoxi Zhang, Zihao Wang, Stephen Paolini, Run Xiao, Ke Wang, Anthony R. Richardella, John Singleton, Laurel E. Winter, Thomas Prokscha, Zaher Salman, Andreas Suter, Purnima P. BalakrishnanAlexander J. Grutter, Moses H.W. Chan, Nitin Samarth, Xiaodong Xu, Weida Wu, Chao Xing Liu, Cui Zu Chang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Scopus citations

Abstract

The interface between two different materials can show unexpected quantum phenomena. In this study, we used molecular beam epitaxy to synthesize heterostructures formed by stacking together two magnetic materials, a ferromagnetic topological insulator (TI) and an antiferromagnetic iron chalcogenide (FeTe). We observed emergent interface-induced superconductivity in these heterostructures and demonstrated the co-occurrence of superconductivity, ferromagnetism, and topological band structure in the magnetic TI layer—the three essential ingredients of chiral topological superconductivity (TSC). The unusual coexistence of ferromagnetism and superconductivity is accompanied by a high upper critical magnetic field that exceeds the Pauli paramagnetic limit for conventional superconductors at low temperatures. These magnetic TI/FeTe heterostructures with robust superconductivity and atomically sharp interfaces provide an ideal wafer-scale platform for the exploration of chiral TSC and Majorana physics.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)634-639
Number of pages6
JournalScience
Volume383
Issue number6683
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 9 2024

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General

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