Depth-resolved magnetic order in superconducting topological insulator/FeTe thin film heterostructures

The search for chiral topological superconductivity in magnetic topological insulator (TI)-FeTe heterostructures is a key frontier in condensed matter physics, with potential applications in topological quantum computing. The combination of ferromagnetism, superconductivity, and topologically nontrivial surface states brings together the key elements required for chiral Majorana physics. In this work, we examine the interplay between magnetism and superconductivity at the interfaces between FeTe and a series of Te-based TI overlayers. In both Te/FeTe and superconducting MnBi₂Te₄/FeTe, any interfacial suppression of antiferromagnetism must affect at most a few nanometers. On the other hand, (Bi, Sb)₂Te₃/FeTe layers exhibit near-total suppression of antiferromagnetic ordering. Ferromagnetic Cr_x (Bi, Sb)_2−x Te₃ (CBST)/FeTe bilayers exhibit net magnetization in both CBST and FeTe layers, with evidence of interactions between superconductivity and ferromagnetism. These observations identify magnetic TI/FeTe interfaces as an exceptionally robust platform to realize chiral topological superconductivity.