Majorana-Like Modes of Light in a One-Dimensional Array of Nonlinear Cavities

TL;DR

This paper proposes a theoretical model where Majorana-like modes can be realized in a chain of nonlinear cavities with strongly correlated photons, enabling potential observation and manipulation of exotic quantum states in photonic systems.

Contribution

It introduces a novel driven-dissipative photonic system that mimics Majorana modes through p-wave pairing induced by interactions and two-photon driving.

Findings

Majorana-like modes can be realized in nonlinear cavity arrays.

Nonlocal modes can be detected via photon correlation measurements.

Non-Abelian properties can be simulated with tunnel-braid operations.

Abstract

The search for Majorana fermions in p-wave paired fermionic systems has recently moved to the forefront of condensed-matter research. Here we propose an alternative route and show theoretically that Majorana-like modes can be realized and probed in a driven-dissipative system of strongly correlated photons consisting of a chain of tunnel-coupled cavities, where p-wave pairing effectively arises from the interplay between strong on-site interactions and two-photon parametric driving. The nonlocal nature of these exotic modes could be demonstrated through cross-correlation measurements carried out at the ends of the chain---revealing a strong photon bunching signature---and their non-Abelian properties could be simulated through tunnel-braid operations.