Year: 2012
Type: article
Abstract: Observability of half-quantum vortices and skyrmions in $p$-wave superconductors is an outstanding open question. Under the most common conditions, fractional flux vortices are not thermodynamically stable in bulk samples. Here we show that in chiral $p$-wave superconductors, there is a regime where, in contrast, lattices of integer-flux vortices are not thermodynamically stable. Instead, skyrmions made of spatially separated half-quantum vortices are the topological defects produced by an applied external field.
Source: Physical Review B
Authors: Julien Garaud, Egor Babaev
Language: English
Subfield: Condensed Matter Physics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
Funder: National Science Foundation
OpenAlex ID: W1968652346