Observation of Rashba-Surface-Band-Dependent Yu-Shiba-Rusinov States in a Gold-Based Superconductor AuSn<sub>4</sub>.

Huang, Zichen; Chen, Hui; Song, Rui; Guo, Hui; Zhang, Hao; Xian, Guoyu; Lv, Senhao; Han, Guangyuan et al. · Nano Lett · 2025

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

The interplay between the Rashba effect, superconductivity, and magnetism in gold-based superconductors provides a platform for exploring topological superconductivity, yet the interaction between Rashba bands and superconducting bound states remains unexplored. Here, we report Rashba-surface-band-dependent Yu-Shiba-Rusinov (YSR) states around Fe adatoms on the surfaces of AuSn<sub>4</sub>, using ultralow temperature (5 mK) scanning tunneling microscope/spectroscopy. On Au-terminated surfaces with Rashba bands, most Fe atoms occupy Au vacancies, while only a few adsorb on the Sn-terminated surfaces with dominant bulk metallic states. Remarkably, YSR states localized on the Fe atom are observed on Sn-terminated surfaces but absent on Au-terminated surfaces. First-principle calculations reveal a significant magnetic moment for Fe adatoms on Sn surfaces compared to a nearly negligible value on Au surfaces, which elucidates the observed surface-dependent YSR states. The termination-dependence local moment arises from the interplay of Rashba surface bands and <i>s</i>-<i>d</i> coupling, as described by the Anderson <i>s</i>-<i>d</i> exchange model.