# Manipulating multi-vortex states in superconducting structures

## TL;DR

This paper presents a technique for controlling and mapping vortex configurations in superconducting structures using a magnetic tip, enabling operations like vortex braiding relevant for topological quantum computing.

## Contribution

It introduces a novel method to manipulate and visualize multi-vortex states in superconductors with high spatial resolution, facilitating quantum information processing.

## Key findings

- High-resolution vortex configuration maps obtained
- Localized vortex stabilization achieved via magnetic tip
- Demonstrated potential for vortex braiding operations

## Abstract

We demonstrate a method for manipulating small ensembles of vortices in multiply-connected superconducting structures. A micron-size magnetic particle attached to the tip of a silicon cantilever is used to locally apply magnetic flux through the superconducting structure. By scanning the tip over the surface of the device, and by utilizing the dynamical coupling between the vortices and the cantilever, a high-resolution spatial map of the different vortex configurations is obtained. Moving the tip to a particular location in the map stabilizes a distinct multi-vortex configuration. Thus, the scanning of the tip over a particular trajectory in space permits non-trivial operations to be performed, such as braiding of individual vortices within a larger vortex ensemble -- a key capability required by many proposals for topological quantum computing.