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DOE OSTI2026

Effect of non-stoichiometry and pressure on superconductivity in topological semimetal PdTe

Research into topological superconductivity has been at the forefront of condensed matter physics due to both fundamental interest and potential applications in quantum computing. PdTe, is such a superconductor with a transition temperature T c ∼ 4.5 K and exhibits a nontrivial topological electronic structure, thus receiving significant attention. We report an experimental and theoretical investigation of the pressure effect on superconductivity by applying chemical non-stoichiometry and hydrostatic pressure. While T c decreases with increasing pressure through electrical resistivity, magnetization, and specific heat measurements, chemical pressure has a distinct impact from hydrostatic pressure, which could increase T c by creating negative pressure via non-stoichiometric Pd x Te with x > 1. Accompanied with this is a sign change of the Hall coefficient from negative at x < 1 to positive at x > 1. This indicates extreme sensitivity of the electronic structure to chemical non-stoichiometry, which occurs as a Pd vacancy for x < 1 and Pd interstitial for x > 1.

nonstoichiometry↗
DOE OSTI2025

Pair wave function symmetry in UTe2 from zero-energy surface state visualization

Although nodal spin-triplet topological superconductivity appears probable in uranium ditelluride (UTe 2 ), its superconductive order parameter Δ k remains unestablished. In theory, a distinctive identifier would be the existence of a superconductive topological surface band, which could facilitate zero-energy Andreev tunneling to an s-wave superconductor and also distinguish a chiral from a nonchiral Δ k through enhanced s-wave proximity. In this study, we used s-wave superconductive scan tips and detected intense zero-energy Andreev conductance at the UTe 2 (0-11) termination surface. Imaging revealed subgap quasiparticle scattering interference signatures with a-axis orientation. The observed zero-energy Andreev peak splitting with enhanced s-wave proximity signifies that Δ k of UTe 2 is a nonchiral state: B 1u , B 2u , or B 3u . However, if the quasiparticle scattering along the a axis is internodal, then a nonchiral B 3u state is the most consistent for UTe 2 .

Gu, Qiangqiang [Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NY (United ↗
DOE OSTI2025

Topological Surface Superconductivity via Josephson Coupling in Bi 2 Te 3 /Nb

Since discoveries of protected conducting surface states, topological superconducting qubits have enchanted quantum science as prime elements in future fault-tolerant devices, particularly those based on Josephson junctions containing topological insulators. Still, Josephson coupling is often eclipsed by other proximity effects that can dilute topological superconducting pairing at the nontrivial insulator’s boundaries. Here, however, using an ultra-low-temperature scanning tunneling microscope, we detect Josephson physics in topological Bi 2 Te 3 films on superconducting Nb. At low temperatures, a previously undetected proximity gap varies little with Bi 2 Te 3 thickness and the density of states exhibits normal and superconducting components. Such observations are rationalized via Josephson pair tunneling through the (nearly) insulating Bi 2 Te 3 bulk, creating a rare, pure topological superconducting sheet. Our findings establish routes toward accessible topological superconducting states in qubits.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2023

Quantum Phase Diagram and Spontaneously Emergent Topological Chiral Superconductivity in Doped Triangular-Lattice Mott Insulators

The topological superconducting state is a highly sought-after quantum state hosting topological order and Majorana excitations. Here, in this Letter, we explore the mechanism to realize the topological superconductivity (TSC) in the doped Mott insulators with time-reversal symmetry (TRS). Through large-scale density matrix renormalization group study of an extended triangular-lattice t–J model on the six- and eight-leg cylinders, we identify a d + id-wave chiral TSC with spontaneous TRS breaking, which is characterized by a Chern number C=2 and quasi-long-range superconducting order. We map out the quantum phase diagram with by tuning the next-nearest-neighbor (NNN) electron hopping and spin interaction. In the weaker NNN-coupling regime, we identify a pseudogaplike phase with a charge stripe order coexisting with fluctuating superconductivity, which can be tuned into d -wave superconductivity by increasing the doping level and system width. The TSC emerges in the intermediate-coupling regime, which has a transition to a d-wave superconducting phase with larger NNN couplings. The emergence of the TSC is driven by geometrical frustrations and hole dynamics which suppress spin correlation and charge order, leading to a topological quantum phase transition.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2023

Dirac-fermion-assisted interfacial superconductivity in epitaxial topological-insulator/iron-chalcogenide heterostructures

Abstract Over the last decade, the possibility of realizing topological superconductivity (TSC) has generated much excitement. TSC can be created in electronic systems where the topological and superconducting orders coexist, motivating the continued exploration of candidate material platforms to this end. Here, we use molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) to synthesize heterostructures that host emergent interfacial superconductivity when a non-superconducting antiferromagnet (FeTe) is interfaced with a topological insulator (TI) (Bi, Sb) 2 Te 3 . By performing in-vacuo angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) and ex-situ electrical transport measurements, we find that the superconducting transition temperature and the upper critical magnetic field are suppressed when the chemical potential approaches the Dirac point. We provide evidence to show that the observed interfacial superconductivity and its chemical potential dependence is the result of the competition between the Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yosida-type ferromagnetic coupling mediated by Dirac surface states and antiferromagnetic exchange couplings that generate the bicollinear antiferromagnetic order in the FeTe layer.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2024

Crossover from Conventional to Unconventional Superconductivity in 2M-WS 2

Leveraging the reciprocal-space proximity effect between superconducting bulk and topological surface states (TSSs) offers a promising way to topological superconductivity. However, elucidating the mutual influence of bulk and TSSs on topological superconductivity remains a challenge. Here, we report pioneering transport evidence of a thickness-dependent transition from conventional to unconventional superconductivity in 2M-phase WS 2 (2M-WS 2 ). As the sample thickness reduces, we see clear changes in key superconducting metrics, including critical temperature, critical current, and carrier density. Notably, while thick 2M-WS 2 samples show conventional superconductivity, with an in-plane (IP) upper critical field constrained by the Pauli limit, samples under 20 nm exhibit a pronounced IP critical field enhancement, inversely correlated with 2D carrier density. This marks a distinct crossover to unconventional superconductivity with strong spin-orbit-parity coupling. Furthermore, our findings underscore the crucial role of sample thickness in accessing topological states in 2D topological superconductors, offering pivotal insights into future studies of topological superconductivity.

2D topological superconductor↗
DOE OSTI2021

Superconductivity and topological properties of MgB 2 -type diborides from first principles

The superconductivities and topological properties of MgB 2 -type diborides are investigated by means of first-principles calculations with different exchange-correlation functionals. Functionals with the van der Waals (vdW) correction (such as OptB88-vdW) may predict critical temperature (T c ) comparable with experimental results for several MgB 2 -type superconductors, particularly for the pristine MgB 2 (39.3 vs 39 K). Interestingly, the spin-fluctuation is found to play a significant role in the superconducting behavior of diborides with transition metal elements, and their T c can be enhanced monotonically by applying tensile strains. Furthermore, Dirac surface states of Ta B 2 and NbB 2 are revealed, suggesting their potential use as topological superconducting materials. Finally, this paper provides a useful guideline for ab initio studies of superconductivities and topological properties of vdW layered materials.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2022

Topological surface superconductivity in FeSe 0.45 Te 0.55

The engineering of Majorana zero modes in topological superconductors, a paradigm for the realization of topological quantum computing and topology-based devices, has been hampered by the absence of materials with sufficiently large superconducting gaps. Recent experiments, however, have provided enthralling evidence for the existence of topological surface superconductivity in the iron-based superconductor FeSe 0.45 Te 0.55 possessing a full s> ± -wave gap of a few meV. Here, we propose a mechanism for the emergence of topological superconductivity on the surface of FeSe 0.45 Te 0.55 by demonstrating that the interplay between the s ± -wave symmetry of the superconducting gap, surface magnetism, and a Rashba spin–orbit interaction gives rise to robust topological superconducting phases. Moreover, the proposed mechanism explains a series of experimentally observed hallmarks of topological superconductivity, such as the emergence of Majorana zero modes in the center of vortex cores and at the end of line defects, as well as of chiral Majorana edge modes along domain walls. We also propose that the spatial distribution of supercurrents near a domain wall is a characteristic signature measurable via a scanning superconducting quantum interference device that can distinguish between chiral Majorana edge modes and trivial in-gap states.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2025

Anyon superconductivity from topological criticality in a Hofstadter–Hubbard model

We argue that the combination of strong repulsive interactions and high magnetic fields can generate electron pairing and superconductivity. Inspired by the large lattice constants of moiré materials, which make large flux per unit cell accessible at laboratory fields, we study the triangular lattice Hofstadter-Hubbard model at one-quarter flux quantum per plaquette, where previous literature has argued that a chiral spin liquid separates a weak-coupling integer quantum Hall phase and a strong-coupling topologically trivial antiferromagnetic insulator at a density of one electron per site. We argue that topological superconductivity emerges upon doping in the vicinity of the integer quantum Hall to chiral spin liquid transition. We employ exact diagonalization and density matrix renormalization group methods to examine this theoretical scenario and find that electronic pairing indeed occurs on both sides of criticality over a remarkably broad range of interaction strengths. On the chiral spin liquid side, our results provide a concrete model realization of the long-hypothesized mechanism of anyon superconductivity. Our study thus establishes a beyond-Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer route to electron pairing in a well-controlled limit, relying crucially on the interplay between electron correlations and band topology.

Hubbard model↗