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Topological superconductivity in metal/quantum-spin-ice heterostructures

Cornell Affiliated Author(s)

Author

J.-H. She
C.H. Kim
C.J. Fennie
M.J. Lawler
Eun-Ah Kim

Abstract

We propose a strategy to achieve an unconventional superconductor in a heterostructure: use a quantum paramagnet (QPM) as a substrate for heterostructure growth of metallic films to design exotic superconductors. The proposed setup allows us to "customize" electron-electron interaction imprinted on the metallic layer. The QPM material of our choice is quantum spin ice. Assuming the metallic layer forms a single isotropic Fermi pocket, we predict its coupling to spin fluctuations in quantum spin ice will drive topological odd-parity pairing. We further present guiding principles for materializing the suitable heterostructure using ab initio calculations and describe the band structure we predict for the case of Y2Sn2-x Sb x O7 grown on the (111) surface of Pr2Zr2O7. Using this microscopic information, we predict topological odd-parity superconductivity at a few Kelvin in this heterostructure, which is comparable to the T c of the only other confirmed odd-parity superconductor Sr2RuO4. © 2017 The Author(s).

Date Published

Journal

npj Quantum Materials

Volume

2

Issue

1

URL

https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85048385352&doi=10.1038%2fs41535-017-0063-2&partnerID=40&md5=515d593582815d81d2c4a0f5480a513e

DOI

10.1038/s41535-017-0063-2

Group (Lab)

Michael Lawler Group

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