In collaboration with researchers from Harvard University, researchers from the University of Würzburg have made an important step on the road to topological quantum computers. Now, they present their findings in the renowned scientific journal Nature.
Majorana particles are very peculiar members of the family of elementary particles. First predicted in 1937 by the Italian physicist Ettore Majorana, these particles belong to the group of so-called fermions, a group that also includes electrons, neutrons and protons. Majorana fermions are electrically neutral and also their own anti-particles. These exotic particles can, for example, emerge as quasi-particles in topological superconductors and represent ideal building blocks for topological quantum computers.
Going to two dimensions
On the road to such topological quantum computers based on Majorana quasi-particles, physicists from the University of Würzburg together with colleagues from Harvard University (USA) have made an important step: Whereas previous experiments in this field have mostly focused on one-dimensional systems, the teams from Würzburg and Harvard have succeeded in going to two-dimensional systems.
In this collaboration, the groups of Ewelina Hankiewicz (Theoretische Physik IV) and Laurens Molenkamp (Experimentelle Physik III) from the University of Würzburg teamed up with the groups of Amir Yacoby and Bertrand Halperin from Harvard University. Their findings are presented in the current issue of the scientific journal Nature.
Two superconductors can simplify matters
Realizing Majorana fermions is one of the most intensely studied topics in condensed matter physics,“ Ewelina Hankiewicz says. According to her, previous realizations have usually focused on one-dimensional systems such as nanowires. She explains that a manipulation of Majorana fermions is very difficult in these setups. It would therefore require significant efforts to make Majorana fermions in these setups eventually applicable for quantum computing.
In order to avoid some of these difficulties, the researchers have studied Majorana fermions in a two-dimensional system with strong spin-orbit coupling. „The system we investigate is a so-called phase-controlled Josephson junction, that is, two superconductors that are separated by a normal region,“ Laurens Molenkamp explains. The superconducting phase difference between the two superconductors provides an additional knob, which makes an intricate fine-tuning of the other system parameters at least partially unnecessary.
Important step towards an improved control
In the material studied, a mercury telluride quantum well coupled to superconducting thin-film aluminium, the physicists observed for the first time a topological phase transition which implies the appearance of Majorana fermions in phase-controlled Josephson junctions. The setup realized experimentally here constitutes a versatile platform for the creation, manipulation and control of Majorana fermions, which offers several advantages compared to previous one-dimensional platforms. According to Hankiewicz, „this is an important step towards an improved control of Majorana fermions.“ The proof of concept of a topological superconductor based on a two-dimensional Josephson junction opens up new possibilities for the research on Majorana fermions in condensed matter physics. In particular, several constraints of previous realizations of Majorana fermions can be avoided.
Potential revolution in computer technology
At the same time, an improved control of Majorana fermions represents an important step towards topological quantum computers. Theoretically, such computers can be significantly more powerful than conventional computers. They thus have the potential to revolutionize computer technology.
Next, the researchers plan to improve the Josephson junctions and move towards junctions with narrower normal regions. Here, more localized Majorana fermions are expected. They further study additional possibilities of manipulating Majorana fermions, for example, by using other semiconductors.
Learn more: Computing faster with quasi-particles
The Latest on: Topological quantum computers
[google_news title=”” keyword=”topological quantum computers” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Topological quantum computers
- Scientists Uncover Surprising Reversal in Quantum Systemson April 26, 2024 at 12:13 pm
Generally, it's advised not to compare apples to oranges. However, in the field of topology, a branch of mathematics, this comparison is necessary. Apples and oranges, it turns out, are said to be ...
- Solving a vexing vortexon April 20, 2024 at 5:00 pm
These zones are central to a relatively new interdisciplinary field focused on producing fault-tolerant topological quantum computing, or TQC. Researchers from Boston College and Hong Kong University ...
- Surprising reversal in quantum systemson April 19, 2024 at 10:02 am
Researchers have studied topological pumping in an artificial solid made of cold atoms. The atoms were trapped using laser beams. Surprisingly, the atoms suddenly turned around at a wall made of laser ...
- Microsoft And Quantinuum Improve Quantum Error Rates By 800xon April 18, 2024 at 5:22 pm
Quantinuum's topological interest is focused on the ... s qubit-virtualization system and Quantinuum’s trapped-ion quantum computer with its QCCD architecture have done what wasn’t possible ...
- Research reveals a surprising topological reversal in quantum systemson April 18, 2024 at 12:22 pm
In principle, one shouldn't compare apples to oranges. However, in topology, which is a branch of mathematics, one must do just that. Apples and oranges, it turns out, are said to be topologically the ...
- Global Topological Quantum Computing Market Size To Exceed USD 12.52 Billion By 2033 | CAGR of 21.4%on April 17, 2024 at 4:30 am
The Global Topological Quantum Computing Market Size was Valued at USD 1.80 Billion in 2023 and the Worldwide Topological Quantum Computing Market Size is Expected to Reach USD 12.52 Billion by 2033, ...
- Physicists discover a novel quantum state in an elemental solidon April 10, 2024 at 8:44 am
Physicists have observed a novel quantum effect termed "hybrid topology" in a crystalline material. This finding opens up a new range of possibilities for the development of efficient materials and ...
- Physicists discover a novel quantum state in an elemental solidon April 9, 2024 at 5:00 pm
For more than a decade, scientists have used bismuth (Bi)-based topological insulators to demonstrate and explore exotic quantum effects in bulk solids mostly by manufacturing compound materials ...
- Progress in quantum physics: Researchers tame superconductorson April 3, 2024 at 5:00 pm
"Topological insulators are materials that ... such as the development of quantum computers. Unlike conventional computers, quantum computers are based not on bits but on quantum bits (qubits ...
- Understanding Topological Superconductorson March 9, 2024 at 4:39 am
The gapless states, often referred to as Majorana fermions, are of particular interest due to their non-Abelian statistics and potential for quantum computing applications. The unique properties of ...
via Bing News