Observation of Half-Quantum Vortices in Topological Superfluid 3He

S. Autti, V. V. Dmitriev, J. T. Mäkinen, A. A. Soldatov, G. E. Volovik, A. N. Yudin, V. V. Zavjalov, V. B. Eltsov

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Abstract

One of the most sought-after objects in topological quantum-matter systems is a vortex carrying half a quantum of circulation. They were originally predicted to exist in superfluid He3−A but have never been resolved there. Here we report an observation of half-quantum vortices (HQVs) in the polar phase of superfluid He3. The vortices are created with rotation or by the Kibble-Zurek mechanism and identified based on their nuclear magnetic resonance signature. This discovery provides a pathway for studies of unpaired Majorana modes bound to the HQV cores in the polar-distorted A phase.
Original languageEnglish
Article number255301
Pages (from-to)1-6
Number of pages6
JournalPhysical Review Letters
Volume117
Issue number25
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 14 Dec 2016
MoE publication typeA1 Journal article-refereed

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