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arXiv · 1508.02197

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 3He-A, but have never been resolved there. Here we report an observation of half-quantum vortices (HQVs) in the polar phase of superfluid 3He. 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.

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S. Autti, V. V. Dmitriev, J. T. Mäkinen, A. A. Soldatov, G. E. Volovik, A. N. Yudin, V. V. Zavjalov, V. B. Eltsov. 2016-10-19. Observation of half-quantum vortices in topological superfluid 3He. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.117.255301

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