Moir\'e-enabled topological superconductivity

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that moiré patterns in van der Waals heterostructures can induce topological superconductivity, enabling the creation and control of Majorana modes through periodic potential modulations.

Contribution

It introduces a novel method of using magnetic moiré patterns to realize topological superconductivity in van der Waals materials, expanding the possibilities for topological quantum states.

Findings

Moiré patterns create Yu-Shiba-Rusinov minibands.

Periodic modulation of Majorana edge modes detected.

Moiré patterns serve as a tool to realize topological superconductivity.

Abstract

The search for artificial topological superconductivity has been limited by the stringent conditions required for its emergence. As exemplified by the recent discoveries of various correlated electronic states in twisted van der Waals materials, moir\'e patterns can act as a powerful knob to create artificial electronic structures. Here, we demonstrate that a moir\'e pattern between a van der Waals superconductor and a monolayer ferromagnet creates a periodic potential modulation that enables the realization of a topological superconducting state that would not be accessible in the absence of the moir\'e. The magnetic moir\'e pattern gives rise to Yu-Shiba-Rusinov minibands and periodic modulation of the Majorana edge modes that we detect using low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and spectroscopy (STS). Moir\'e patterns and, more broadly, periodic potential modulations are powerful tools to overcome the conventional constrains for realizing and controlling topological superconductivity.