Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Helical spin textures in one-dimensional magnetic chains on superconductors can enable topological superconductivity and host Majorana zero modes, independent of the presence of intrinsic spin-orbit coupling. Here, we show that gadolinium (Gd) adatoms, possessing large 4f magnetic moments when placed on a Nb(110) surface, establish indirect exchange interactions mediated by valence electrons, manifesting as Yu-Shiba-Rusinov states. By combining scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy with density functional theory, we analyze the emergence of the Yu-Shiba-Rusinov states in single Gd atoms and Gd dimers and uncover the underlying magnetic interaction mechanisms. Based in these results we predict by means of spin-dynamics simulations the formation of stable chiral Néel-type spin-spiral configurations in Gd chains. These findings highlight rare-earth magnets as a promising platform for precisely tuning spin-spiral ground states, an essential prerequisite for the realization of topological superconductivity.
Source: Nano Letters
Language: English
Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,500
Awards: G1413455458, G2152757567, G2158694287, SFB 1170: Topologische und korrelierte Elektronik in Ober und Grenzflächen ("ToCoTronics"), G3356704239, G3691355933, G5536861278, EXC 2147: Komplexität und Topologie in Quantenmaterialien (CT.QMAT), EXC 2004: Materie und Licht für Quanteninformation (ML4Q)
OpenAlex ID: W7126019844