Anisotropic non-split zero-energy vortex bound states in a conventional superconductor

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Kim, Howon, Nagai, Yuki, Rózsa, Levente, Schreyer, Dominik, Wiesendanger, Roland
Format: Preprint
Published: 2021
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author Kim, Howon
Nagai, Yuki
Rózsa, Levente
Schreyer, Dominik
Wiesendanger, Roland
author_facet Kim, Howon
Nagai, Yuki
Rózsa, Levente
Schreyer, Dominik
Wiesendanger, Roland
contents Vortices in topological superconductors are predicted to host Majorana bound states (MBSs) as exotic quasiparticles. In recent experiments, the spatially non-split zero-energy vortex bound state in topological superconductors has been regarded as an essential spectroscopic signature for the observation of MBSs. Here, we report the observation of anisotropic non-split zero-energy vortex bound states in a conventional elemental superconductor with a topologically trivial band structure using scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy. The experimental results, corroborated by quasi-classical theoretical calculations, indicate that the non-split states directly reflect the quasiparticle trajectories governed by the surface electronic structure. Our study implies that non-split zero-energy states are not a conclusive signature of MBSs in vortex cores, stimulating a revision of the current understanding of such states.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2105_01354
institution arXiv
publishDate 2021
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Anisotropic non-split zero-energy vortex bound states in a conventional superconductor
Kim, Howon
Nagai, Yuki
Rózsa, Levente
Schreyer, Dominik
Wiesendanger, Roland
Superconductivity
Vortices in topological superconductors are predicted to host Majorana bound states (MBSs) as exotic quasiparticles. In recent experiments, the spatially non-split zero-energy vortex bound state in topological superconductors has been regarded as an essential spectroscopic signature for the observation of MBSs. Here, we report the observation of anisotropic non-split zero-energy vortex bound states in a conventional elemental superconductor with a topologically trivial band structure using scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy. The experimental results, corroborated by quasi-classical theoretical calculations, indicate that the non-split states directly reflect the quasiparticle trajectories governed by the surface electronic structure. Our study implies that non-split zero-energy states are not a conclusive signature of MBSs in vortex cores, stimulating a revision of the current understanding of such states.
title Anisotropic non-split zero-energy vortex bound states in a conventional superconductor
topic Superconductivity
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2105.01354