In a groundbreaking discovery, a collaborative research team has identified the world’s first multiple Majorana zero modes (MZMs) within a single vortex of the superconducting topological crystalline insulator SnTe. Led by Prof. Junwei Liu from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), along with Prof Jinfeng Jia and Prof Yaoyi Li from Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU), this research offers a new pathway for achieving fault-tolerant quantum computers.
Majorana zero modes are zero-energy topologically nontrivial quasiparticles in superconductors that exhibit non-Abelian statistics. This unique characteristic allows for inequivalent braiding sequences, offering a level of protection against local perturbations that is ideal for robust fault-tolerant quantum computation. Unlike ordinary particles such as electrons or photons, where different braiding always leads to the same final state, MZMs provide a distinct advantage in quantum computing.
Overcoming Previous Challenges
While significant progress has been made in engineering artificial topological superconductors, the braiding and manipulation of MZMs have posed significant challenges due to their separation in real space. This spatial separation complicates the movements necessary for hybridization. However, the collaborative team from HKUST and SJTU took a novel approach, leveraging crystal symmetry to eliminate these bottlenecks.
Through a combination of controlled methods that do not require real space movement or strong magnetic fields, the team successfully demonstrated the existence and hybridization of multiple MZMs within a single vortex of SnTe. The experimental group at SJTU observed significant changes in the zero-bias peak – a strong indicator of MZMs – within the SnTe/Pb heterostructure under tilted magnetic fields, confirming the presence of crystal-symmetry-protected MZMs.
By utilizing advanced numerical simulations and innovative techniques, the research team has opened a new frontier for detecting and manipulating crystal-symmetry-protected multiple MZMs. These findings not only pave the way for experimental demonstrations of non-Abelian statistics but also provide a foundation for constructing new types of topological qubits and quantum gates based on this groundbreaking discovery.
The discovery of multiple Majorana zero modes within a single vortex of SnTe represents a significant milestone in the field of quantum computing. By harnessing crystal symmetry and innovative techniques, the collaborative research team has unlocked new possibilities for fault-tolerant quantum computation. This breakthrough not only advances our understanding of quantum mechanics but also holds immense potential for the development of next-generation quantum technologies.
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