Integrating micromagnets and hybrid nanowires for topological quantum computing

TL;DR

This paper explores the integration of micromagnets with hybrid nanowires to generate localized magnetic fields, aiming to facilitate topological quantum computing by enabling Majorana zero modes without high external magnetic fields.

Contribution

It introduces device designs combining micromagnets with nanowires, supported by numerical simulations and magnetic imaging, to improve control of magnetic fields for Majorana mode realization.

Findings

Numerical simulations show effective stray magnetic fields from micromagnet configurations.

Proposed device designs demonstrate potential for localized magnetic field control.

Magnetic imaging confirms the feasibility of the micromagnet integration.

Abstract

Majorana zero modes are expected to arise in semiconductor-superconductor hybrid systems, with potential topological quantum computing applications. One limitation of this approach is the need for a relatively high external magnetic field that should also change direction at nanoscale. This proposal considers devices that incorporate micromagnets to address this challenge. We perform numerical simulations of stray magnetic fields from different micromagnet configurations, which are then used to solve for Majorana wavefunctions. Several devices are proposed, starting with the basic four-magnet design to align magnetic field with the nanowire and scaling up to nanowire T-junctions. The feasibility of the approach is assessed by performing magnetic imaging of prototype patterns.