Controllable Majorana vortex states in iron-based superconducting nanowires

TL;DR

This paper proposes that Majorana vortex states in iron-based superconducting nanowires can be effectively manipulated for topological quantum computing, with a broad parameter space and controllable interactions enabled by their wavefunction distribution.

Contribution

It introduces a system where Majorana vortex states are controllable and stable over a wide parameter range, facilitating quantum operations like fusion and braiding.

Findings

Existence of a radius-induced topological phase transition.

Presence of a single pair of MZMs over a wide parameter range.

Wavefunction distribution at the nanowire edge enables control of MZM interactions.

Abstract

There has been experimental evidence for the Majorana zero modes (MZMs) in solid state systems, which are building blocks for potential topological quantum computing. It is important to design devices, in which MZMs are easy to manipulate and possess a broad topological non-trivial parameter space for fusion and braiding. Here, we propose that the Majorana vortex states in iron-based superconducting nanowires fulfill these desirable conditions. This system has a radius-induced topological phase transition, giving a lower limit to the radius of the nanowire. In the topological phase, there is only one pair of MZMs in the nanowire over a wide range of radius, chemical potential, and external magnetic field. The wavefunction of the MZM has a sizable distribution at the side edge of the nanowire. This property enables one to control the interaction of the MZMs in neighboring vortex nanowires, and paves the way for Majorana fusion and braiding.