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Bento Ribeiro RC, Correa JH, Ricco LS, Shelykh IA, Continentino MA, Seridonio AC, Minissale M, Le Lay G, Figueira MS. Spin-polarized Majorana zero modes in proximitized superconducting penta-silicene nanoribbons. Sci Rep 2023; 13:17965. [PMID: 37863891 PMCID: PMC10589331 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-44739-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023] Open
Abstract
We theoretically propose penta-silicene nanoribbons (p-SiNRs) with induced p-wave superconductivity as a platform for the emergence of spin-polarized Majorana zero-modes (MZMs). The model explicitly considers the key ingredients of well-known Majorana hybrid nanowire setups: Rashba spin-orbit coupling, magnetic field perpendicular to the nanoribbon plane, and first nearest neighbor hopping with p-wave superconducting pairing. The energy spectrum of the system, as a function of chemical potential, reveals the existence of MZMs with a well-defined spin orientation localized at the opposite ends of both the top and bottom chains of the p-SiNR, associated with well-localized and nonoverlapping wave function profiles. Well-established experimental techniques enable the fabrication of highly ordered p-SiNRs, complemented by a thin lead film on top, responsible for inducing p-wave superconductivity through proximity effect. Moreover, the emergence of MZMs with explicit opposite spin orientations for some set of model parameters opens a new avenue for exploring quantum computing operations, which accounts for both MZMs and spin properties, as well as for new MZMs probe devices based on spin-polarized electronic transport mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- R C Bento Ribeiro
- Centro Brasileiro de Pesquisas Físicas, Rua Dr. Xavier Sigaud, 150, Urca, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 22290-180, Brazil
| | - J H Correa
- Universidad Tecnológica del Perú, Nathalio Sánchez, 125, 15046, Lima, Peru
- AGH University of Krakow, Academic Centre for Materials and Nanotechnology, al. A. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059, Kraków, Poland
| | - L S Ricco
- Science Institute, University of Iceland, Dunhagi-3, 107, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - I A Shelykh
- Science Institute, University of Iceland, Dunhagi-3, 107, Reykjavik, Iceland
- Russian Quantum Center, Skolkovo IC, Bolshoy Bulvar 30 bld. 1, Moscow, 121205, Russia
| | - Mucio A Continentino
- Centro Brasileiro de Pesquisas Físicas, Rua Dr. Xavier Sigaud, 150, Urca, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 22290-180, Brazil
| | - A C Seridonio
- School of Engineering, Department of Physics and Chemistry, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Ilha Solteira, SP, 15385-000, Brazil
| | - M Minissale
- Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS, PIIM UMR 7345, 13397, Marseille Cedex, France
| | - G Le Lay
- Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS, PIIM UMR 7345, 13397, Marseille Cedex, France
| | - M S Figueira
- Instituto de Física, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Av. Litorânea s/N, Niterói, RJ, CEP: 24210-340, Brazil.
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Ng S, Pumera M. 2D Functionalized Germananes: Synthesis and Applications. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2023; 35:e2207196. [PMID: 36394114 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202207196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
In the realm of 2D layered materials, the monoelemental group 14 Xene, germanene, as the germanium analog of graphene, has emerged as the next prospective candidate. Preceded by silicon, germanium is widely used in the semiconductor industry; thus, germanene is deemed compatible with existing semiconductor technologies. Germanene consists of mixed sp2 -sp3 -hybridized networks in a buckled hexagonal honeycomb structure. Chemical exfoliation of Zintl phases, such as CaGe2 , specifically the topotactical deintercalation in acidic media, removes the alkaline earth metal ions Ca2+ , giving rise to layered germanane (germanene with the Ge centers covalently saturated with terminal hydrogen atoms). Diverse variants of functionalized germananes (with covalent group(s) termination) can be obtained by varying the topotactical deintercalation precursors, elevating the game with limitless functionalization possibilities for customizable properties or new functionalities. The preparation of Zintl phases to the details of functionalized and modified germananes and their properties, and the additional exfoliation step to achieve mono- or few-layer germananes, are comprehensively covered. The progress and challenges of 2D functionalized germananes in optoelectronics, catalysis, energy conversion and storage, sensors, and biomedical areas are reviewed. This review provides insight into designing and exploring this class of atomically thin semiconductors in realizing future nanoarchitectonics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siowwoon Ng
- Future Energy and Innovation Laboratory, Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, Purkyňova 123, Brno, 61200, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Pumera
- Future Energy and Innovation Laboratory, Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, Purkyňova 123, Brno, 61200, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, VSB - Technical University of Ostrava, 17. listopadu 2172/15, Ostrava, 70800, Czech Republic
- Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, No. 91 Hsueh-Shih Road, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Korea
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Temperature-Dependent Growth and Evolution of Silicene on Au Ultrathin Films-LEEM and LEED Studies. MATERIALS 2022; 15:ma15041610. [PMID: 35208150 PMCID: PMC8878372 DOI: 10.3390/ma15041610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The formation and evolution of silicene on ultrathin Au films have been investigated with low energy electron microscopy and diffraction. Careful control of the annealing rate and temperature of Au films epitaxially grown on the Si(111) surface allows for the preparation of a large scale, of the order of cm2, silicene sheets. Depending on the final temperature, three stages of silicene evolution can be distinguished: (i) the growth of the low buckled phase, (ii) the formation of a layered heterostructure of the low buckled and planar phases of silicene and (iii) the gradual destruction of the silicene. Each stage is characterized by its unique surface morphology and characteristic diffraction patterns. The present study gives an overview of structures formed on the surface of ultrathin Au films and morphology changes between room temperature and the temperature at which the formation of Au droplets on the Si(111) surface occurs.
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