Majorana fermions and quantum information with fractional topology and disorder

TL;DR

This paper explores how fractional topology and disorder can be used to realize and protect Majorana fermions and quantum information in spin systems, with potential applications in topologically protected quantum computing.

Contribution

It introduces a model of two spins-1/2 hosting Majorana fermions, demonstrating how disorder can enhance fractional phases and protect quantum information.

Findings

Delocalized zero-energy Majorana fermions can form a qubit in a two-spin system.

Disorder can induce singlet-triplet transitions, expanding the fractional phase region.

Protocols with circularly polarized light can protect the delocalized spin-1/2 state.

Abstract

The quest to identify and observe Majorana fermions in physics and condensed-matter systems remains an important challenge. Here, we introduce a qubit (spin-$1/2$) from the occurrence of two delocalized zero-energy Majorana fermions in a model of two spins-$1/2$ on the Bloch sphere within the fractional one-half topological state. We address specific protocols in time with circularly polarized light and the protection of this delocalized spin-$1/2$ state related to quantum information protocols. We also show how disorder can play a positive and important role allowing singlet-triplet transitions and resulting in an additional elongated region for the fractional phase, demonstrating the potential of this platform related to applications in topologically protected quantum information. We generalize our approach with an array and Majorana fermions at the edges in a ring geometry.