Distinguishing a Majorana zero mode using spin-resolved measurements
Distinguishing a Majorana zero mode using spin-resolved measurements
复制标题
DOI：
10.1126/science.aan3670
复制
发表时间：
2017-11-10
期刊：
影响因子：
56.9
通讯作者：
Yazdani, Ali
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Jeon, Sangjun;Xie, Yonglong;Yazdani, Ali
一维拓扑超导体具有马约拉纳零模（MZMs），其非局域特性可用于量子计算应用。我们利用自旋极化扫描隧道显微镜表明，在铅表面自组装铁链中实现的马约拉纳零模具有的自旋极化超过了这些铁链磁性所产生的自旋极化。我们的模型计算所捕捉到的这一特征是由拓扑能带结构产生的马约拉纳零模希尔伯特空间非局域性的直接结果。我们的研究确立了自旋极化测量作为一种诊断工具，用于区分拓扑马约拉纳零模和超导体平凡的能隙内态。
One-dimensional topological superconductors host Majorana zero modes (MZMs), the nonlocal property of which could be exploited for quantum computing applications. We use spin-polarized scanning tunneling microscopy to show that MZMs realized in self-assembled Fe chains on the surface of Pb have a spin polarization that exceeds that stemming from the magnetism of these chains. This feature, captured by our model calculations, is a direct consequence of the nonlocality of the Hilbert space of MZMs emerging from a topological band structure. Our study establishes spin-polarization measurements as a diagnostic tool to distinguish topological MZMs from trivial in-gap states of a superconductor.