Emergent spin quantum Hall edge states at the boundary of two-dimensional electron gas proximitized by an $s$-wave superconductor
M. V. Parfenov, V. S. Khrapai, I. S. Burmistrov
TLDR
2DEG-superconductor hybrids exhibit topologically protected spin quantum Hall edge states with even-integer quantized spin conductance, robust against disorder.
Key contributions
- Demonstrates 2DEG-S systems host topologically protected edge states in a quantized magnetic field.
- These states carry a spin current with an even-integer quantized spin conductance (spin quantum Hall effect).
- The predicted spin conductance is robust against disorder, unlike previously observed charge conductance.
- Proposes an experimental setup to probe this topological protection via electrical measurements.
Why it matters
This paper resolves a puzzle regarding topological protection in 2DEG-superconductor systems, showing it manifests in spin transport. It proposes a new way to observe the spin quantum Hall effect, opening avenues for robust spintronic devices.
Original Abstract
Hybrid two-dimensional electron gas-superconductor (2DEG-S) structures in a quantized magnetic field offer a promising platform for realizing new topological phases. While recent experiments reveal chiral Andreev edge states, their charge conductance is not integer quantized and is disorder sensitive, raising the question of whether topological protection survives. We argue that it does, but manifests in the spin transport channel. The 2DEG-S system belongs to symmetry class C of the Altland-Zirnbauer classification, which supports an even-integer quantized transverse spin conductivity -- the spin quantum Hall effect, so far unobserved experimentally. We demonstrate that 2DEG-S hybrids host topologically protected edge states carrying a spin current with an even-integer quantized spin conductance robust against disorder. Finally, we propose an experimental setup to probe this protection via electrical measurements, establishing a concrete route to detect the class C origin of the chiral Andreev edge states.
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