Search

Recent experiments reported that spin-state transitions were realized by applying bias voltages. But these bias-induced spin state transitions (BISSTs) are not fully understood, especially the mechanism. It is well known that the metal-to-ligand charge transfer excitation (MLCT) and the metal-centered excitation (MC) activated by light radiation can induce the transition from low spin (LS) to high spin (HS) and that from HS to LS. Moreover, electronic excitations are accessible by inelastic cotunneling in molecular junctions with bias voltages applied. Based on these two experimental facts, we propose the MLCT basically leads to the BISST from LS to HS, and the MC results in the BISST from HS to LS. The rationality of the mechanism is demonstrated by comparing first-principles results and experimental observations. The calculated voltage threshold for activating the MLCT (MC) is close to the experimental voltage for observing the BISST from LS to HS (from HS to LS). The activation of MLCT (MC) depends on the bias polarity, which can explain the bias-polarity dependence of BISST in the experiment. Our study is important for further design of molecular spintronic devices working on spin state transition.

Majorana fermion (MF) whose antiparticle is itself has been predicted in condensed matter systems. Signatures of the MFs have been reported as zero energy modes in various systems. More definitive evidences are highly desired to verify the existence of the MF. Very recently, theory has predicted MFs to induce spin selective Andreev reflection (SSAR), a novel magnetic property which can be used to detect the MFs. Here we report the first observation of the SSAR from MFs inside vortices in Bi2Te3/NbSe2 hetero-structure, in which topological superconductivity was previously established. By using spin-polarized scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy (STM/STS), we show that the zero-bias peak of the tunneling differential conductance at the vortex center is substantially higher when the tip polarization and the external magnetic field are parallel than anti-parallel to each other. Such strong spin dependence of the tunneling is absent away from the vortex center, or in a conventional superconductor. The observed spin dependent tunneling effect is a direct evidence for the SSAR from MFs, fully consistent with theoretical analyses. Our work provides definitive evidences of MFs and will stimulate the MFs research on their novel physical properties, hence a step towards their statistics and application in quantum computing., Comment: 4 figures 15 pages