1. New platforms capable of hosting Majorana zero modes
We discover a novel intrinsic Fu-Kane topological superconductor, the 2M-phase WS2. At the magnetic vortex cores of the material, using scanning tunneling microscope (STM) under ultra-low temperature (400 mK) and high magnetic field (15 T), we found evidence for the existence of Majorana zero modes (MZMs). This material is chemically homogeneous, pristine, and easily mechanically exfoliated, making it a potential material platform for future topological quantum computing. Recently, we achieve spatial manipulation of Majorana zero modes based on the introduction of surface charge order. We are also actively exploring other possible approaches to realize Fu-Kane topological superconductivity, such as using molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) to precisely control lattice parameters, and approaches based on the quantum anomalous Hall effect (QAHE).
Yonghao Yuan, et al., Nature Physics 15, 1046–1051 (2019)
Xuemin Fan, et al., National Science Review 12, nwae312 (2025)
Yonghao Yuan, et al., Nano Letters 18(11), 7176-7180 (2018)
Yonghao Yuan, et al., Nano Letters 20(5), 3271–3277 (2020)
Yunkai Guo, et al., under review. Preprint in https://arxiv.org /pdf/2505.10808 (2025)
March Meeting 2021
2. Electronic Stripe Phase in FeSe
We discover a novel electronic stripe phase in the high-temperature superconducting monolayer FeSe/SrTiO3, offering new clues to its electron pairing mechanism. Previous studies indicated the critical role of the SrTiO3 substrate in enhancing the superconductivity of FeSe film. This time, we reveal a unique feature intrinsic to FeSe itself—the electronic stripe phase. In monolayer FeSe, the stripe phase is suppressed by carrier doping, yet this electronic instability still contributes to superconductivity enhancement. We find that the stripe phase exhibits a positive correlation with the superconducting transition temperature, leading to the establishment of a universal phase diagram for interfacial superconductivity in FeSe/STO.
Wei Li, et al., Nature Physics 13, 957-961 (2017)
Yonghao Yuan, et al., Nature Commun. 12, 2196 (2021)
Xuemin Fan, et al., Phys. Rev. B 106, 024517 (2022)
Yunkai Guo, et al., under review. Preprint in https://arxiv.org /abs/2502.13857 (2025)
Yong-Hao Yuan, Qi-Kun Xue and Wei Li, Acta Phys. Sin. 71(12): 127304 (2022). (Review article)
M2S Meeting 2018