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Topological defect states and phase transitions in mesoscopic superconducting squares with Rashba spin–orbit interaction

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Abstract

Based on the spin-generalized Bogoliubov–de Gennes theory, we investigate the topological defect configurations in a mesoscopic superconducting square with spin–orbit (SO) interaction. The mixed even-parity d-wave and extended s-wave components can be obtained by suitable choice of the chemical potential in such a system. We find that several novel types of topological defect states can be generated in the presence of Rashba SO coupling when the external magnetic flux turns on. Unclosed domain-wall states carrying even or odd number of one-component vortices as well as double-quanta skyrmionic patterns can appear for different Rashba SO-coupling strengths. The next-nearest-neighbor hopping effect on the evolution of topological structures is further examined. A skyrmionic chain feature with one-component vortex–antivortex pairs can show up in the present mixed-pairing system. Our investigation may provide useful information for future experiments and shed new light on device designing.

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Data availability statement

This manuscript has no associated data or the data will not be deposited. [Authors’ comment: The results and data presented in this work can be replicated using the numerical procedures described in the text.]

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grants No. 62171267 and No. 61771298.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics and Shanghai Key Laboratory of High Temperature Superconductors, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China

    Rui-Feng Chai & Guo-Qiao Zha

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  1. Rui-Feng Chai
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  2. Guo-Qiao Zha
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All the authors were involved in the preparation of the manuscript. All the authors have read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Guo-Qiao Zha.

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Chai, RF., Zha, GQ. Topological defect states and phase transitions in mesoscopic superconducting squares with Rashba spin–orbit interaction. Eur. Phys. J. B 95, 101 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1140/epjb/s10051-022-00369-y

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