Research
Swipe to view
Title : | Search for tunable topological states in Heusler compounds using spectroscopic imaging scanning tunneling microscopy |
Area of research : | Physical Sciences |
Focus area : | Condensed Matter Physics, Quantum Materials |
Principal Investigator : | Dr. Rahul Sharma, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Berhampur, Odisha |
Timeline Start Year : | 2023 |
Timeline End Year : | 2025 |
Contact info : | rahulsharma[at]iiserbpr[dot]ac[dot]in |
Equipments : | Muffle furnace |
Details
Swipe to view
Executive Summary : | Topological states of matter, which have gained significant interest and a Nobel prize in 2016, offer linear dispersion and spin-momentum locking due to their helicity. These properties are attractive for applications in next-generation spintronic devices, enabling various phenomena such as the quantum anomalous hall effect, topological hall effect, and chiral anomaly. A topological superconductor with the right order parameter can lead to Majorana zero-modes, which are their own antiparticles. Majorana statistics can lead to topological qubits that are immune to noise due to decoherence, which plagues current quantum computers. To perform a high-throughput search of topological matter, a three-pronged symbiotic approach is proposed. The researchers will use a 400mK ultrahigh vacuum scanning tunneling microscope (STM) with vector magnet to find topological band structure, locate topologically protected states, and quantify important band parameters using Landau level spectroscopy. They will also use a superconducting Nb tip and Josephson tunneling experiments to ascertain Majorana zero modes in topological superconductor candidates with a resolution of a few tens of microvolts. The researchers will grow promising candidates using the flux technique and use ab-initio methods to calculate band structure and topological invariants. They aim to target Heusler compounds, which offer a wide range of possibilities for multi-functionality. If they discover a topological property useful for devices, this could result in important patents. |
Total Budget (INR): | 16,61,000 |
Organizations involved
Swipe to view
Implementing Agency : | Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Berhampur, Odisha |
Funding Agency : | Anusandhan National Rsearch Foundation (ANRF)/Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) |
Source : | Anusandhan National Research Foundation/Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), DST 2023-24 |