Electrically tunable topological superconductivity and Majorana fermions in two dimensions

Jing Wang
Phys. Rev. B 94, 214502 – Published 5 December 2016

Abstract

The external controllability of topological superconductors and Majorana fermions would be important both for fundamental and practical interests. Here we predict the electric-field control of Majorana fermions in two-dimensional topological superconductors utilizing a topological insulator thin-film proximity coupled to a conventional s-wave superconductor. With ferromagnetic ordering, the tunable structure inversion asymmetry by vertical electric field could induce topological quantum phase transition and realize a chiral topological superconductor state. A zero-energy Majorana bound state appears at the boundary of an applied electric-field spot, which can be observed by scanning tunneling microscopy. Furthermore, the structure inversion asymmetry could also enlarge the helical topological superconductor state in the phase diagram, making the realization of such an exotic state more feasible. The electrical control of topological phases could further apply to van der Waals materials such as two-dimensional transition-metal dichalcogenides.

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  • Received 17 August 2016
  • Revised 17 November 2016

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.94.214502

©2016 American Physical Society

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

Condensed Matter, Materials & Applied Physics

Authors & Affiliations

Jing Wang

  • State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics and Department of Physics, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China and Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing 210093, China

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Issue

Vol. 94, Iss. 21 — 1 December 2016

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