Interference of Chiral Andreev Edge States

The search for topological excitations such as Majorana fermions has spurred interest in the boundaries between distinct quan- tum states. Here, we explore an interface between two prototypical phases of electrons with conceptually different ground states: the integer quantum Hall insulator and the s-wave superconductor. We find clear signatures of hybridized electron and hole states similar to chiral Majorana fermions, which we refer to as chiral Andreev edge states (CAESs). These propagate along the interface in the direction determined by the magnetic field and their interference can turn an incoming electron into an out- going electron or hole, depending on the phase accumulated by the CAESs along their path. Our results demonstrate that these excitations can propagate and interfere over a significant length, opening future possibilities for their coherent manipulation.

Duke Scholars

Author Harold U. Baranger Physics

Author Gleb Finkelstein Physics