Hunting for Majoranas

• Published in: Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) Vol. 380; no. 6651; p. eade0850
• Main Authors: Yazdani, Ali, von Oppen, Felix, Halperin, Bertrand I., Yacoby, Amir
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States The American Association for the Advancement of Science 23.06.2023; AAAS
• Subjects: Electrons; Elementary excitations; Error correction; Heterostructures; Hybrid systems; Hybrids; Magnetic fields; Neutral atoms; Physics; Platforms; Quantum computing; Quantum phenomena; Quantum statistics; Qubits (quantum computing); Science & Technology - Other Topics; Signatures; Statistics; Substrates; Topological insulators; Topological superconductors
• ISSN: 0036-8075; 1095-9203; 1095-9203
• DOI: 10.1126/science.ade0850

Over the past decade, there have been considerable efforts to observe non-abelian quasiparticles in novel quantum materials and devices. These efforts are motivated by the goals of demonstrating quantum statistics of quasiparticles beyond those of fermions and bosons and of establishing the underlying science for the creation of topologically protected quantum bits. In this Review, we focus on efforts to create topological superconducting phases that host Majorana zero modes. We consider the lessons learned from existing experimental efforts, which are motivating both improvements to present platforms and the exploration of new approaches. Although the experimental detection of non-abelian quasiparticles remains challenging, the knowledge gained thus far and the opportunities ahead offer high potential for discovery and advances in this exciting area of quantum physics. A definitive discovery of Majorana quasiparticles would bring the potential of topological quantum computing closer to reality. In the original proposals, the “recipe” for observing Majoranas experimentally appeared deceptively simple. In the intervening years, it has become clear that the real world is more complicated than the models predicted, and Majoranas remain elusive. Yazdani et al . review our growing understanding of a very complex topic and speculate on the most promising directions for the future. —Jelena Stajic A review describes the challenges facing the search for an elusive class of quasiparticles.