Magnetic-superconducting hybrid systems are key to unlocking topological superconductivity, a state that could host Majorana modes with potential applications in fault-tolerant quantum computing. However, creating stable, controllable interfaces between magnetic and superconducting materials remains a challenge. Traditional systems often struggle with lattice mismatches, complex interfacial interactions, and disorder, which can obscure the signatures of topological states or mimic them with trivial phenomena. Achieving precise control over magnetic structures at the atomic scale has been a long-standing challenge in this field.
The Solution: The researchers developed a novel sub-monolayer CrTe2/NbSe2 heterostructure. By carefully depositing Cr and Te on NbSe2 substrate, they observed a two-stage growth process: an initial compressed Cr-Te layer forms with a lattice constant of 0.35 nm, followed by the formation of atomically flat CrTe2 monolayer with a lattice constant of 0.39 nm. Annealing the Cr-Te layer can trigger stress-relief reconstruction, which creates stripe-like patterns with edges that host localized magnetic moments, effectively forming one-dimensional magnetic chains. Scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS) confirmed the presence of these moments, along with Yu-Shiba-Rusinov (YSR) states at the edges, highlighting the interplay between the magnetic Cr atoms and the superconducting NbSe2 substrate. This tunable periodic stress-induced structure, offers a promising platform for topological quantum computing and the pursuit of Majorana modes.
The Future: Looking ahead, the team plans to refine this platform by optimizing strain control through annealing, substrate engineering, and dynamic modulation techniques. Future research will explore how these one-dimensional magnetic chains can be tailored for specific quantum applications, potentially enabling the detection of topological superconductivity and Majorana modes. Large-scale statistical studies and advanced spin-resolved measurements could further unravel the intricate relationship between strain, magnetism, and superconductivity in this system.
The Impact: This work marks a significant step toward practical quantum technologies. By leveraging lattice mismatch to engineer one-dimensional magnetic chains, the CrTe2/NbSe2 heterostructure offers a versatile materials platform for quantum spintronics and topological quantum computing. The ability to tune magnetic properties at the nanoscale, combined with the robust superconductivity of NbSe2, could lead to breakthroughs in designing next-generation quantum devices. This research opens new avenues for strain-engineered materials in quantum science.
The research has been recently published in the online edition of Materials Futures, a high impact international journal in the field of interdisciplinary materials science research.
Reference:
Jiayi Chen, Yi Yang, Jiaxin Chen, Haili Huang, Qia Shen, Shuai Shao, Yanran Zhang, Hao Yang, Xiaoxue Liu, Liang Liu, Shiyong Wang, Yaoyi Li, Canhua Liu, Hao Zheng, Dandan Guan, Jin-Feng Jia. One-dimensional magnetic chains in sub-monolayer CrTe2 grown on NbSe2[J]. Materials Futures. DOI: 10.1088/2752-5724/ade4e3
