Testing the viability of Majorana-based platforms for topological quantum computation through theore
Abstract
A promising approach to overcoming the most serious problem associated with the realization of quantum computing (QC), which is esse,ntially generated by quantum decoherence, is to harness the underlying robustness of topological quantum states. This topological ap,proach to QC has been experimentally pursued for over a decade, spearheaded by the efforts to realize Majorana zero modes (MZMs) ? e,mergent non-Abelian quasiparticles that can be used as building blocks for topological qubits ? using semiconductor-superconductor (,SM-SC) hybrid nanowire structures. While this effort is still facing serious challenges, particularly in the areas of materials grow,th and device engineering, and has not yet generated a functional topological qubit, it has fueled significant experimental and theo,retical advances, in particular regarding the modeling of hybrid nanostructures under non-ideal, laboratory conditions. More recentl,y, a number of Majorana platforms that could provide viable (possibly better) alternatives to SM-SC nanowires have been proposed. Al,though there are claims of successful observation of topological quantum states in some of these systems, the alternative topologica,l QC platforms have not yet been subjected to the same level of theoretical and modeling scrutiny as their SM-SC nanowire counterpar,ts. This project proposes the theoretical and numerical study of five types of systems that represent promising candidates for a Maj,orana-based platform for topological QC: (1) planar Josephson junctions, (2) twisted bilayer graphene ? transition metal dichalcogen,ide (TMD) heterostructures, (3) ferromagnet ? TMD van der Waals heterostructures, (4) iron-based superconductors, and (5) Kitaev-Hei,senberg spin-liquids (such as RuCl3). The study is based on a set of modeling tools that incorporate the experimentally relevant, no,n-ideal factors typically ignored in the preliminary analyses based on ?toy? models. Essentially motivated by the critical need for,realistic modeling of the proposed Majorana-based platforms, this project will (i) provide estimates of the highest disorder/inhomog,eneity levels consistent with the presence of topological states, (ii) develop and test measurement protocols for the unambiguous de,tection of topological states, and (iii) design components of qubit devices and evaluate the feasibility of qubit manipulation schem,es. The project will substantially broaden the scope of the theoretical and numerical investigation of Majorana-based platforms for,topological QC and will provide significant support to the experimental efforts in this area. Ultimately, this project will help str,eamlining the selection of the optimal platform(s) for Majorana-based topological qubits.Approved for Public Release
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Dec 06, 2022
- Source ID
- N000142312061
Entities
People
- Tudor D Stanescu
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- West Virginia University