A numerical method for designing topological superconductivity induced by s-wave pairing

Abstract Topological superconductors have garnered significant attention due to their potential for realizing topological quantum computation. However, a universal computational tool based on first-principles calculations for predicting topological superconductivity has not yet been fully developed,...

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Main Authors: Jingnan Hu, Aiyun Luo, Zhijun Wang, Jingyu Zou, Quansheng Wu, Gang Xu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-05-01
Series:npj Computational Materials
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41524-025-01621-6
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author Jingnan Hu
Aiyun Luo
Zhijun Wang
Jingyu Zou
Quansheng Wu
Gang Xu
author_facet Jingnan Hu
Aiyun Luo
Zhijun Wang
Jingyu Zou
Quansheng Wu
Gang Xu
author_sort Jingnan Hu
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Topological superconductors have garnered significant attention due to their potential for realizing topological quantum computation. However, a universal computational tool based on first-principles calculations for predicting topological superconductivity has not yet been fully developed, posing substantial challenges in identifying topological superconducting materials. In this paper, we present a numerical method to characterize the superconducting spectrum and topological invariants of two-dimensional (2D) slab systems using first-principles band structure, implemented in the open-source software WannierTools. To more accurately model the superconducting proximity effect, we integrate a phenomenological theory of SC pairing decay module into the program. Our approach can be applied to classical superconductor-topological insulator (SC-TI) heterostructures, SC-semiconductor heterostructures, and intrinsic topological superconductors. The program’s validity is demonstrated using the topological crystal insulator SnTe, the Rashba semiconductor InSb, and the superconductor NbSe2 as examples. We anticipate that this tool will accelerate the discovery of topological superconductor candidates.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2057-3960
language English
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series npj Computational Materials
spelling doaj-art-b4302e482ef643bf84c01c921ecb6a8b2025-08-20T03:53:57ZengNature Portfolionpj Computational Materials2057-39602025-05-0111111110.1038/s41524-025-01621-6A numerical method for designing topological superconductivity induced by s-wave pairingJingnan Hu0Aiyun Luo1Zhijun Wang2Jingyu Zou3Quansheng Wu4Gang Xu5Wuhan National High Magnetic Field Center & School of Physics, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhan National High Magnetic Field Center & School of Physics, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyBeijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, and Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of SciencesWuhan National High Magnetic Field Center & School of Physics, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyBeijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, and Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of SciencesWuhan National High Magnetic Field Center & School of Physics, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyAbstract Topological superconductors have garnered significant attention due to their potential for realizing topological quantum computation. However, a universal computational tool based on first-principles calculations for predicting topological superconductivity has not yet been fully developed, posing substantial challenges in identifying topological superconducting materials. In this paper, we present a numerical method to characterize the superconducting spectrum and topological invariants of two-dimensional (2D) slab systems using first-principles band structure, implemented in the open-source software WannierTools. To more accurately model the superconducting proximity effect, we integrate a phenomenological theory of SC pairing decay module into the program. Our approach can be applied to classical superconductor-topological insulator (SC-TI) heterostructures, SC-semiconductor heterostructures, and intrinsic topological superconductors. The program’s validity is demonstrated using the topological crystal insulator SnTe, the Rashba semiconductor InSb, and the superconductor NbSe2 as examples. We anticipate that this tool will accelerate the discovery of topological superconductor candidates.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41524-025-01621-6
spellingShingle Jingnan Hu
Aiyun Luo
Zhijun Wang
Jingyu Zou
Quansheng Wu
Gang Xu
A numerical method for designing topological superconductivity induced by s-wave pairing
npj Computational Materials
title A numerical method for designing topological superconductivity induced by s-wave pairing
title_full A numerical method for designing topological superconductivity induced by s-wave pairing
title_fullStr A numerical method for designing topological superconductivity induced by s-wave pairing
title_full_unstemmed A numerical method for designing topological superconductivity induced by s-wave pairing
title_short A numerical method for designing topological superconductivity induced by s-wave pairing
title_sort numerical method for designing topological superconductivity induced by s wave pairing
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41524-025-01621-6
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