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Published May 21, 2026 | Version v1
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Data and code from: Observation of quantum vortex core fractionalization and skyrmion formation in a superconductor

Authors/Creators

  • 1. Shanghai Jiao Tong University
  • 2. Chinese Academy of Sciences
  • 3. KTH Royal Institute of Technology
  • 4. Institut Denis Poisson
  • 5. Beijing Normal University

Description

Magnetic fields can penetrate a superconductor in the form of quantum vortices, which consist of a core singularity with circulating currents. London's quantization implies that there is one core singularity per quantum of magnetic flux in single-component superconductors. Here, we report signatures of quantum vortex core fractionalization on the potassium-terminated surface of a multiband superconductor KFe2As2. The observed splitting of single integer-flux vortices into several fractional vortices results in a disparity between the numbers of flux quanta and vortex cores. These fractional vortices often arrange in chains, which calculations show are characterized by a CP2 skyrmionic topological invariant; this constitutes a different type of topological defect: the chiral skyrmion. The disparate natures of integer and fractional vortices comprising skyrmions lead to distinct spectroscopic signatures.

Notes

Funding provided by: National Natural Science Foundation of China
ROR ID: https://ror.org/01h0zpd94
Award Number: 12374063

Funding provided by: National Natural Science Foundation of China
ROR ID: https://ror.org/01h0zpd94
Award Number: 12374139

Funding provided by: National Natural Science Foundation of China
ROR ID: https://ror.org/01h0zpd94
Award Number: 12488101

Funding provided by: National Natural Science Foundation of China
ROR ID: https://ror.org/01h0zpd94
Award Number: 12374063

Funding provided by: National Natural Science Foundation of China
ROR ID: https://ror.org/01h0zpd94
Award Number: 12504164

Funding provided by: China Postdoctoral Science Foundation
ROR ID: https://ror.org/0426zh255
Award Number: GZB20230421

Funding provided by: Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China
ROR ID: https://ror.org/027s68j25
Award Number: 2023YFA1407400

Funding provided by: Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China
ROR ID: https://ror.org/027s68j25
Award Number: 2022YFA1402702

Funding provided by: Swedish Research Council
ROR ID: https://ror.org/03zttf063
Award Number: 2022-04763

Funding provided by: New Cornerstone Science Foundation
Award Number: 23H010801236

Funding provided by: Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China
ROR ID: https://ror.org/027s68j25
Award Number: 2021ZD0302700

Funding provided by: Shanghai Natural Science Fund for Original Exploration Program
ROR ID:
Award Number: 23ZR1479900

Funding provided by: Shanghai Jiao Tong University
ROR ID: https://ror.org/0220qvk04
Award Number:

Funding provided by: Shanghai Talent Program
ROR ID:
Award Number:

Funding provided by: Wallenberg Initiative Materials Science for Sustainability
Award Number:

Funding provided by: Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China
ROR ID: https://ror.org/01mv9t934
Award Number: JYB2025XDXM411

Funding provided by: Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China
ROR ID: https://ror.org/027s68j25
Award Number: 2024YFA1611302

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Additional details

Related works

Is cited by
10.48550/arXiv.2407.18610 (DOI)
Is source of
10.5061/dryad.9zw3r22wc (DOI)