Topological superconductivity in full shell proximitized nanowires

2018/09/14 by Roman M. Lutchyn, S. Vaitiekėnas, G. W. Winkler +15 · 4 citations
Physics and Astronomy · #cond-mat.mes-hall #cond-mat.supr-con

paper · pdf · doi:10.1126/science.aav3392

published as Science 367, eaav3392 (2020) · 12 pages, 9 figures

arxiv created 2018/09/14 · arxiv updated 2020/04/03

Abstract

We consider a new model system supporting Majorana zero modes based on semiconductor nanowires with a full superconducting shell. We demonstrate that, in the presence of spin-orbit coupling in the semiconductor induced by a radial electric field, the winding of the superconducting order parameter leads to a topological phase supporting Majorana zero modes. The topological phase persists over a large range of chemical potentials and can be induced by a predictable and weak magnetic field piercing the cylinder. The system can be readily realized in semiconductor nanowires covered by a full superconducting shell, opening a pathway for realizing topological quantum computing proposals.

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