In a groundbreaking study published in Nature, a research team led by Prof. Junwei Liu from Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and Prof. Jinfeng Jia and Prof. Yaoyi Li from Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) has discovered the world’s first multiple Majorana zero modes (MZMs) in a single vortex of the superconducting topological crystalline insulator SnTe. This groundbreaking discovery offers a new approach to achieving fault-tolerant quantum computers by utilizing crystal symmetry to control the coupling between the MZMs.
Majorana zero modes are zero-energy quasiparticles in superconductors that exhibit topologically nontrivial properties and obey non-Abelian statistics. Unlike ordinary particles such as electrons or photons, MZMs have the unique property of being protected from local perturbations, making them an ideal candidate for robust fault-tolerant quantum computation. The discovery of multiple MZMs in a single vortex opens up new possibilities for braiding and manipulation of qubits in quantum computers.
Despite significant progress in engineering artificial topological superconductors, the braiding and manipulation of MZMs have remained challenging due to their separation in real space. This complicates the necessary movements for hybridization, making it difficult to control the interactions between multiple MZMs. The research team’s approach of utilizing crystal-symmetry-protected MZMs eliminates these bottlenecks by leveraging the unique properties of MZMs in SnTe.
Experimental Observations and Theoretical Simulations
The experimental group at SJTU observed significant changes in the zero-bias peak, a strong indicator of MZMs, in the SnTe/Pb heterostructure under tilted magnetic fields. The HKUST theoretical team then conducted extensive numerical simulations using the kernel polynomial method to demonstrate the anisotropic responses to tilted magnetic fields originating from crystal-symmetry-protected MZMs. These simulations allowed for the exploration of novel properties in vortex systems beyond just crystal-symmetry-protected MZMs.
The discovery of multiple MZMs in a single vortex of SnTe opens up a new frontier for detecting and manipulating crystal-symmetry-protected MZMs. This breakthrough paves the way for experimental demonstrations of non-Abelian statistics and the construction of new types of topological qubits and quantum gates based on crystal-symmetry-protected multiple MZMs. By controlling the coupling between MZMs through crystal symmetry, researchers are one step closer to achieving fault-tolerant quantum computing.
The identification of multiple Majorana zero modes in a single vortex of SnTe represents a significant advancement in the field of quantum computing. By leveraging crystal symmetry to control the interactions between MZMs, the research team has demonstrated a new pathway towards fault-tolerant quantum computers. This discovery not only expands our understanding of topological superconductors but also opens up exciting possibilities for the future of quantum technology.
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