# An experimentally accessible quality factor for Majorana wires

**Authors:** David J. Clarke

arXiv: 1702.01740 · 2017-11-22

## TL;DR

This paper proposes a new experimental method using a quantum dot to quantitatively assess the topological nature of Majorana wires, potentially confirming their non-local properties through local measurements.

## Contribution

It introduces a novel, experimentally accessible test to determine the topological character of Majorana wires using local conductance measurements with a quantum dot.

## Key findings

- Non-local topological features can be identified via local measurements.
- The proposed test provides a quantitative measure of topological quality.
- The method offers a new way to verify Majorana zero modes in nanowires.

## Abstract

Spin-orbit coupled semiconducting nanowires with proximity-induced superconductivity are expected to host Majorana zero modes at their endpoints when a sufficiently strong magnetic field is applied. The resulting phase would be a one-dimensional topological superconductor. However, while a variety of experiments have been performed observing a zero bias conductance peak (suggestive of Majorana zero modes), the topological nature of these physical systems is still a subject of debate. Here we suggest a quantitative test of the degree to which a system displaying a zero bias peak may be considered topological. The experiment is similar to previous measurements of conductance, but is performed with the aid of a quantum dot at the wire's end. We arrive at the surprising result that the non-local nature of the topological system may be identified through a local measurement.

## Full text

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## Figures

11 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/1702.01740/full.md

## References

42 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/1702.01740/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/1702.01740