Description
The so-called “search for Majoranas” has mobilized several groups over the last decade
with the goal of achieving the “holy grail” of topological quantum computation in
condensed matter systems [1-2]. In spite of the advances, particularly in devices of
semiconductor nanowires with proximity induced superconductivity, many unanswered
questions and challenges remain, as highlighted the recent events that shook the
community [3]. This begs the question of whether other platforms hosting Majorana zero
modes or other topological excitations which could be used as non-Abelian anyons can
be viewed in a different light.
In this talk, I will discuss some of the scenarios for what's next in the Majorana saga. I will
present some of the works in our group involving Majoranas in alternative platforms such as
vortex cores in 2D topological superconductors [4]. I will also discuss our recent proposals
for modeling parafermionic zero modes, Majoranas' Z_n symmetric cousins, in strongly
interacting electronic systems [5,6]. We also propose a way to detect these rather exotic
quasiparticles using quantum dots [5].
Abstract
The so-called “search for Majoranas” has mobilized several groups over the last decade with the goal of achieving the “holy grail” of topological quantum computation in condensed matter systems [1-2]. In spite of the advances, particularly in devices of semiconductor nanowires with proximity induced superconductivity, many unanswered questions and challenges remain, as highlighted...
