Molecular templates of spin textures on superconducting surfaces

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates the creation and characterization of nickelocene molecular islands on a superconducting lead surface, revealing complex spin textures that could impact topological superconductivity research.

Contribution

It introduces a method to engineer and analyze non-collinear spin textures on superconducting surfaces using molecular arrays, combining experimental and theoretical approaches.

Findings

Nickelocene islands exhibit local and collective magnetic excitations.

Complex non-collinear spin patterns are observed on superconducting Pb (111).

Potential for designing spin textures relevant to topological superconductivity.

Abstract

We create ordered islands of magnetically anisotropic nickelocene molecules on a Pb (111) substrate. By using inelastic electron tunneling spectra (IETS) and density functional theory, we characterize the magnetic response of these islands. This allows us to conclude that the islands present local and collective magnetic excitations. Furthermore, we show that nickelocene islands present complex non-collinear spin patterns on the superconducting Pb (111) surface, opening the possibility of using molecular arrays to engineer spin textures with important implications on topological superconductivity.