Long range and highly tunable interaction between local spins coupled to a superconducting condensate

Felix Küster, Sascha Brinker, Samir Lounis (), Stuart S. P. Parkin () and Paolo Sessi ()
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Felix Küster: Max Planck Institute of Microstructure Physics
Sascha Brinker: Peter Grünberg Institut and Institute for Advanced Simulation, Forschungszentrum Jülich & JARA
Samir Lounis: Peter Grünberg Institut and Institute for Advanced Simulation, Forschungszentrum Jülich & JARA
Stuart S. P. Parkin: Max Planck Institute of Microstructure Physics
Paolo Sessi: Max Planck Institute of Microstructure Physics

Nature Communications, 2021, vol. 12, issue 1, 1-8

Abstract: Abstract Interfacing magnetism with superconducting condensates is rapidly emerging as a viable route for the development of innovative quantum technologies. In this context, the development of rational design strategies to controllably tune the interaction between magnetic moments is crucial. Here we address this problem demonstrating the possibility of tuning the interaction between local spins coupled through a superconducting condensate with atomic scale precision. By using Cr atoms coupled to superconducting Nb, we use atomic manipulation techniques to precisely control the relative distance between local spins along distinct crystallographic directions while simultaneously sensing their coupling by scanning tunneling spectroscopy. Our results reveal the existence of highly anisotropic interactions, lasting up to very long distances, demonstrating the possibility of crossing a quantum phase transition by acting on the direction and interatomic distance between spins. The high tunability provides novel opportunities for the realization of topological superconductivity and the rational design of magneto-superconducting interfaces.

Date: 2021
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26802-x

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