Majorana fermions in charge carrier hole quantum wires

TL;DR

This paper investigates Majorana fermions in hole-based quantum wires with strong spin-orbit and Zeeman interactions, emphasizing the importance of heavy-light hole transformation at boundaries for realizing topological superconductivity.

Contribution

It introduces a new analysis of hole reflection effects on Majorana mode realization, highlighting the potential of GaAs and InSb hole wires for stronger topological pairing.

Findings

GaAs and InSb hole wires show stronger topological pairing than electron systems.

Heavy-light hole transformation at boundaries is crucial for Majorana modes.

Majorana modes can be realized at lower magnetic fields in hole systems.

Abstract

Luttinger holes with strong Zeemann and spin-orbit interactions in a wire proximity-coupled to a superconductor is a promising system for observation of Majorana fermions. Earlier treatments of confined Luttinger holes in wires ignored a mutual transformation of heavy and light holes upon reflection from the heteroboundaries. This effect is crucial for Zeemann and spin-orbit coupling in the ground subband of holes with several spin-orbit terms linear in momentum. We discuss the criterion for realizing Majorana modes in charge carrier hole systems. GaAs or InSb hole wires shall exhibit stronger topological superconducting pairing compared to InSb electron systems in similar or weaker magnetic fields.