Observation of stacked vortex structure with number controllable Majorana zero mode in Bi$_{2}$Te$_{3}$/FeTe heterojunction
Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Abstract: Creation and control of Majorana zero modes (MZMs) in solid devices is the key challenge in realizing fault tolerant topological quantum computation. Here we report spectroscopic evidence for number controllable MZMs in stoichiometric one quintuple layer Bi$_{2}$Te$_{3}$/FeTe heterostructures, together with the observation of stacked vortices in superconducting islands. Low temperature scanning tunnelling microscopy and spectroscopy reveal a long period moire superlattice arising from lattice mismatch, which induces nanoscale modulation of superconducting gaps. Magnetic vortices exhibit a stacked core structure with two layer derived bound state branches: a dispersive branch evolving into an X-shaped pattern away from the vortex center, and a quantum-limit branch characterized by a spatially unsplit MZMs together with discrete integer quantized Caroli-de Gennes-Matricon states. Notably, MZMs are observed in all measured vortices, and their number can be tuned by magnetic field and the size of Bi$_{2}$Te$_{3}$ islands. These results establish stoichiometric 1QL-Bi$_{2}$Te$_{3}$/FeTe as a patterned superconducting interface that enables isolated and few-vortex Majorana configurations, providing a controlled platform for fuse MZMs.
Source: arXiv (Cornell University)
Language: English
Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
Funders: City University of Hong Kong, National Natural Science Foundation of China, Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, China Postdoctoral Science Foundation, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Xiamen University, Southern University of Science and Technology, National Science and Technology Major Project, Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation of Guangdong Province
OpenAlex ID: W7221753614