超导体中量子涡旋核心分数化与斯格明子形成的观测

Observation of quantum vortex core fractionalization and skyrmion formation in a superconductor However, creation of fractional vortices with a core singularity in superconductors is challenging. Vortices in different components are attracted to each other because they couple to the same vector poten- tial field and Josephson interband coupling. Consequently, in the ground state, fractional vortices in different condensates coalesce to form a “composite vortex” characterized by a single core singularity with the standard integer quantum flux Φ0. However, when time- reversal symmetry is spontaneously broken, a superconductor can host domain walls, owing to the discrete nature of this symmetry. The domain walls may facilitate the formation of flux- carrying topological excitations known as chiral skyrmions (10–12). …