Moiré-Enabled Topological Superconductivity

Abstract

The search for artificial topological superconductivity has been limited by the stringent conditions required for its emergence. As exemplified by the recent discoveries of various correlated electronic states in twisted van der Waals materials, moiré patterns can act as a powerful knob to create artificial electronic structures. Here, we demonstrate that a moiré pattern between a van der Waals superconductor and a monolayer ferromagnet creates a periodic potential modulation that enables the realization of a topological superconducting state that would not be accessible in the absence of the moiré. The magnetic moiré pattern gives rise to Yu–Shiba–Rusinov minibands and periodic modulation of the Majorana edge modes that we detect using low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and spectroscopy (STS). Moiré patterns and, more broadly, periodic potential modulations are powerful tools to overcome the conventional constraints for realizing and controlling topological superconductivity.