2016/08/31 by Jing Wang · 32 citations
Mathematics · Physics and Astronomy · #Advanced Condensed Matter Physics #Combinatorics #Condensed matter physics #Fermion #MAJORANA #Mathematics #Physics #Quantum many-body systems #Quantum mechanics #Superconductivity #Theoretical physics #Topological Materials and Phenomena #Topology (electrical circuits) #cond-mat.mes-hall #cond-mat.mtrl-sci #cond-mat.supr-con
paper · pdf · doi:10.1103/physrevb.94.214502
published in Physical review. B./Physical review. B 94(21) (American Physical Society) · 8 pages, 3 figures, 1 table
arxiv created 2016/11/19 · openalex publication_date 2016/12/05 · arxiv updated 2016/12/07 · openalex created_date 2016/12/16 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05
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.