Creation and annihilation of mobile fractional solitons in atomic chains

0556622 - FZÚ 2023 RIV GB eng J - Journal Article
Park, J.-W. - Do, E. - Shin, J.S. - Song, S.K. - Stetsovych, Oleksandr - Jelínek, Pavel - Yeom, H.W.
Creation and annihilation of mobile fractional solitons in atomic chains.
Nature Nanotechnology. Roč. 17, č. 3 (2022), s. 244-249. ISSN 1748-3387. E-ISSN 1748-3395
Institutional support: RVO:68378271
Keywords : solitons * 1D chains * STM * DFT
OECD category: Condensed matter physics (including formerly solid state physics, supercond.)
Impact factor: 38.3, year: 2022
Method of publishing: Open access

Here we observe fractionalized phase defects moving along trimer silicon atomic chains formed along step edges of a vicinal silicon surface. By means of tunnelling microscopy, we identify local defects with phase shifts of 2π/3 and 4π/3 with their electronic states within the band gap and with their motions activated above 100 K. Theoretical calculations reveal the topological soliton origin of the phase defects with fractional charges of ±2e/3 and ±4e/3. Additionally, we create and annihilate individual solitons at desired locations by current pulses from the probe tip. Mobile and manipulable topological solitons may serve as robust, topologically protected information carriers in future information technology.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0331075