Export citation

Export citation

Choose format for download:

Download Citation
  • Editors' Suggestion

Depth-resolved magnetic order in superconducting topological insulator/FeTe thin film heterostructures

Purnima P. Balakrishnan1,*,†, Hemian Yi2, Zi-Jie Yan2, Wei Yuan2, Andreas Suter3, Christopher J. Jensen1, Pascal Manuel4, Fabio Orlandi4, Takayasu Hanashima5 et al.

Christy J. Kinane4, Andrew J. Caruana4, Dirk Backes6, Padraic Shafer7,‡, Brian B. Maranville1, Zaher Salman3, Thomas Prokscha3, Cui-Zu Chang2,§, and Alexander J. Grutter1,∥

  • *Contact author: purnima.balakrishnan@nist.gov
  • †Now at Synchrotron Ultraviolet Radiation Facility III, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD 20899, USA.
  • ‡Present address: National Synchrotron Light Source II, Brookhaven Laboratory, Upton, New York 11973-5000, USA.
  • §Contact author: cxc955@psu.edu
  • ∥Contact author: alexander.grutter@nist.gov

Phys. Rev. Materials 9, 104203 – Published 14 October, 2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/15fx-3cr2

Abstract

The search for chiral topological superconductivity in magnetic topological insulator (TI)-FeTe heterostructures is a key frontier in condensed matter physics, with potential applications in topological quantum computing. The combination of ferromagnetism, superconductivity, and topologically nontrivial surface states brings together the key elements required for chiral Majorana physics. In this work, we examine the interplay between magnetism and superconductivity at the interfaces between FeTe and a series of Te-based TI overlayers. In both Te/FeTe and superconducting MnBi2Te4/FeTe, any interfacial suppression of antiferromagnetism must affect at most a few nanometers. On the other hand, (Bi,Sb)2Te3/FeTe layers exhibit near-total suppression of antiferromagnetic ordering. Ferromagnetic Crx(Bi,Sb)2−xTe3 (CBST)/FeTe bilayers exhibit net magnetization in both CBST and FeTe layers, with evidence of interactions between superconductivity and ferromagnetism. These observations identify magnetic TI/FeTe interfaces as an exceptionally robust platform to realize chiral topological superconductivity.

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

Authorization Required

We need you to provide your credentials before accessing this content.

Supplemental Material (Subscription Required)

References (Subscription Required)

Outline

Information

Sign In to Your Journals Account

Filter

Filter

Article Lookup

Enter a citation