Two-dimensional flat band on the UTe2(011) surface: Implication for STM measurements with a superconducting tip

Jushin Tei; Takeshi Mizushima; Satoshi Fujimoto

doi:10.1103/7rqg-nydn

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Two-dimensional flat band on the UTe2(011) surface: Implication for STM measurements with a superconducting tip

Jushin Tei, Takeshi Mizushima, Satoshi Fujimoto

DOI 10.1103/7rqg-nydn · Physical Review B

T1

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Abstract

Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) measurements have been extensively performed on the easily cleavable (011) surface of UTe2, using both normal-metal and superconducting tips. Motivated by these experiments, we theoretically investigate the topological surface states on the (011) surface of UTe2. We find that a two-dimensional nearly flat band emerges in the B3u state, giving rise to a pronounced zero-energy peak in the surface density of states. This flat band is supported by two key mechanisms: (i) nontrivial Berry phases defined at multiple momenta give rise to low-energy in-gap states, and (ii) weak spin conservation allows the gap function to acquire phase winding. Furthermore, to investigate the relation between the zero-bias peak observed in recent STM experiments with a superconducting tip and the topological surface states, we calculate the nonequilibrium dc tunneling current in a junction between an s-wave superconductor and the (011) surface of UTe2. Our results provide crucial insights into the superconducting pairing symmetry realized in UTe2.

Source-reported materials — not catalogue approval

Formula	Reported Tc (K)	Pressure (GPa)	Type
UTe2 Archive — visibility unverified Source-occurrence policy only; no material identity or catalogue acceptance is inferred from the formula.	—	Pressure not reported	unknown