Deconfinement of Majorana Vortex Modes Produces a Superconducting Landau Level

M. J. Pacholski, G. Lemut, O. Ovdat, İ. Adagideli, and C. W. J. Beenakker
Phys. Rev. Lett. 126, 226801 – Published 2 June 2021
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Abstract

A spatially oscillating pair potential Δ(r)=Δ0e2iK·r with momentum K>Δ0/v drives a deconfinement transition of the Majorana bound states in the vortex cores of a Fu-Kane heterostructure (a 3D topological insulator with Fermi velocity v, on a superconducting substrate with gap Δ0, in a perpendicular magnetic field). In the deconfined phase at zero chemical potential the Majorana fermions form a dispersionless Landau level, protected by chiral symmetry against broadening due to vortex scattering. The coherent superposition of electrons and holes in the Majorana Landau level is detectable as a local density of states oscillation with wave vector K2(Δ0/v)2. The striped pattern also provides a means to measure the chirality of the Majorana fermions.

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  • Received 21 January 2021
  • Accepted 26 April 2021

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.126.226801

© 2021 American Physical Society

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

Condensed Matter, Materials & Applied Physics

Authors & Affiliations

M. J. Pacholski1, G. Lemut1, O. Ovdat1, İ. Adagideli2,3, and C. W. J. Beenakker1

  • 1Instituut-Lorentz, Universiteit Leiden, P.O. Box 9506, 2300 RA Leiden, Netherlands
  • 2Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabanci University, 34956 Orhanli-Tuzla, Istanbul, Turkey
  • 3MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Twente, 7500 AE Enschede, Netherlands

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Issue

Vol. 126, Iss. 22 — 4 June 2021

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