Exploring the manipulation of Majorana zero modes in iron-based nanowires

Recently, National Science Review published collaborative research results from Prof. Xin Liu's research team at Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Prof. Dong Liu at Tsinghua University, and Prof. Fu-Chun Zhang at the Kavli Institute for Theoretical Sciences in the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences. The paper proposed a scheme for manipulating Majorana vortex states using iron-based superconductors as a platform.

Current experimental studies of Majorana zero modes in iron-based superconductors mainly focus on zero-bias conductance peak signals in the vortices. Designing tunable Majorana platforms will be an essential step in exploring their non-Abelian statistical properties and potential applications in the direction of fault-tolerant topological quantum computing. One of the significant challenges we encounter is the location of the Majorana zero mode. It is usually located at the vortex center, hence is difficult to implement braiding operations.

The research team proposes a modified platform based on the iron-based superconducting nanowire, in which Majorana wavefunction distributes in both the center and at the edge of the vortex for thin nanowires. The finite distribution of Majorana zero modes at the edges in nanowires allows us to connect them by tunable semiconductor structures, thus enabling the controllable coupling between different Majoranas and manipulable Majorana braiding operations.

More information:
Chuang Li et al, Controllable majorana vortex states in iron-based superconducting nanowires, National Science Review (2022). DOI: 10.1093/nsr/nwac095

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