Topological superconductor

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In condensed matter physics and materials chemistry, a topological superconductor is a material that conducts electricity with zero electrical resistivity, and has non-trivial topology which gives it certain unique properties. These materials behave as superconductors that feature exotic edge states, known as Majorana zero modes. [1] [2]

Contents

Classification and examples

Topological superconductors are characterized by the topological order related to their electronic band structure. [2] These materials can be classified using the periodic table of topological superconductors, which categorizes topological phases based on time-reversal symmetry, particle-hole symmetry, and chiral symmetry. [2]

An example of a simple topological superconductor in one-dimension is the Kitaev chain. [2]

Experimental evidence

In 2015, uranium ditelluride (UTe2) was found to behave as a topological superconductor. [2]

Applications

A notable application of topological superconductors is in the realm of topological quantum computing, where Majorana zero modes can be used to implement fault-tolerant quantum gates via braiding operations. This approach leverages the non-Abelian statistics of Majorana modes to perform computations that are protected from local sources of decoherence. [1] [2]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Dumé, Isabelle (2023-08-03). "Topological superconductor harbours unusual crystalline state". Physics World. Retrieved 2025-03-27.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Sato, Masatoshi; Ando, Yoichi (2017-07-01). "Topological superconductors: a review". Reports on Progress in Physics. 80 (7): 076501. arXiv: 1608.03395 . Bibcode:2017RPPh...80g6501S. doi:10.1088/1361-6633/aa6ac7. ISSN   0034-4885. PMID   28367833.
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