Exchange operation of Majorana zero modes in topological insulator-based Josephson trijunctions

TL;DR

This paper reports preliminary experimental progress in creating and exchanging Majorana zero modes in a topological insulator-based Josephson device, supporting the potential for topological quantum computation through braiding operations.

Contribution

It demonstrates initial manipulation and exchange of Majorana zero modes in a Josephson trijunction device on a topological insulator surface, advancing towards braiding in topological quantum computing.

Findings

Observed in-gap state migration consistent with Majorana exchange signatures.

Supported the Fu-Kane model predictions for Majorana modes.

Established a pathway for braiding Majorana zero modes in solid-state systems.

Abstract

Majorana zero modes are anyons obeying non-Abelian exchange statistics distinct from fermions or bosons. While significant progresses have been achieved in the past two decades in searching for these exotic excitations in solid-state systems, their non-Abelian nature remains unverified, as definitive proof requires braiding operations. Here, we report preliminarily experimental advances in creating, manipulating, and exchanging the presumed Majorana zero modes in an envelope-shaped Josephson device composed of multiple trijunctions on a topological insulator surface. We observed the signatures of in-gap states migration consistent with the expectations of the Fu-Kane model, supporting the realization of an exchange operation. This work would establish a critical pathway toward ultimately braiding Majorana zero modes in the Fu-Kane scheme of topological quantum computation.