Topological spin structures on superconducting surfaces

Topological superconductivity can lead to the formation of Majorana zeromodes, which could be harnessed for topological quantum computing. Magnet-superconductor-hybrid (MSH) systems, built with conventional superconductors, are a promising host platform as the magnetic structure can induce topological superconductivity. Also, the magnetic state itself can exhibit a non-trivial spin topology. In this thesis realistic MSH systems are investigated with regard to the magnetic structure as well as induced topological superconductivity, focusing on the connection between the spin topology and the topology of the superconductor.

Ultra-thin magnetic films on the Re(0001) surface are considered as model MSH systems. Complex magnetic structures are identified via density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The stabilizing mechanisms are revealed by mapping the obtained total DFT energies of various collinear and non-collinear spin states onto an atomistic spin model. The effect of the spin structure on the electronic properties of the superconducting substrate is vinvestigated by a tight-binding model. Spin-polarized scanning tunnelingv microscopy (SP-STM) simulations allow a direct comparison between theoretically predicted magnetic ground states or edge states in superconductors and experimental observations, performed by collaborators of the University of Hamburg.

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