Majorana zero modes induced by skyrmion lattice

One-dimensional s-wave superconductor with spin-orbit coupling is a platform for the realization of Majorana zero modes. The spin-exchange with the magnetic skyrmion lattice can induce spin-orbit coupling in a s-wave superconductor system and the effects are different from the constant spin-orbit coupling. The strength of the effective spin-orbit coupling as well as the rich topoloigcal phase diagram are directly connected to the radius of the skyrmion lattice R. We obtain the rich topological phase diagram of this system with different skyrmion lattice radii by numerically evaluating the spectrum of the system under the periodic boundary condition, and we also find the Majorana zero modes under the open boundary condition to verify the bulk-edge correspondence.     

Exploring Majorana zero modes in iron-based superconductors

Majorana zero modes (MZMs) are Majorana-fermion-like quasiparticles existing in crystals or hybrid platforms with topologically non-trivial electronic structures. They obey non-Abelian braiding statistics and are considered promising to realize topological quantum computing. Discovery of MZM in the vortices of the iron-based superconductors (IBSs) has recently fueled the Majorana research in a way which not only removes the material barrier requiring construction of complicated hybrid artificial structures, but also enables observation of pure MZMs under higher temperatures. So far, MZMs have been observed in iron-based superconductors including FeTe_0.55Se_0.45, (Li_0.84Fe_0.16)OHFeSe, CaKFe₄As₄, and LiFeAs. In this topical review, we present an overview of the recent STM studies on the MZMs in IBSs. We start with the observation of MZMs in the vortices in FeTe_0.55Se_0.45 and discuss the pros and cons of FeTe_0.55Se_0.45 compared with other platforms. We then review the following up discovery of MZMs in vortices of CaKFe₄As₄, impurity-assisted vortices of LiFeAs, and quantum anomalous vortices in FeTe_0.55Se_0.45, illustrating the pathway of the developments of MZM research in IBSs. Finally, we give perspective on future experimental works in this field.     

Antiresonance and decoupling in electronic transport through parallel-coupled quantum-dot structures with laterally-coupled Majorana zero modes

We theoretically investigate the electronic transport through a parallel-coupled multi-quantum-dot system, in which the terminal dots of a one-dimensional quantum-dot chain are embodied in the two arms of an Aharonov–Bohm interferometer. It is found that in the structures of odd(even) dots, all their even(odd) molecular states have opportunities to decouple from the leads, and in this process antiresonance occurs which are accordant with the odd(even)-numbered eigenenergies of the sub-molecule without terminal dots. Next when Majorana zero modes are introduced to couple laterally to the terminal dots, the antiresonance and decoupling phenomena still co-exist in the quantum transport process. Such a result can be helpful in understanding the special influence of Majorana zero mode on the electronic transport through quantum-dot systems.     

Universal transport properties of a quantum dot system with a laterally-coupled Majorana zero mode

We present a comprehensive analysis about the transport properties of a quantum dot (QD) system with a side-coupled Majorana zero mode. Our calculation result shows that when the coupling manners between the two leads and QDs are identical, the local Andreev reflection and the interlead normal tunneling have the same magnitude at the zero-bias limit. Accordingly, the zero-bias conductance value is always equal to e²/2h, which is exactly one half of the resonant-tunneling conductance. This result is independent of the level number and the level distribution in the single-QD case, and in the coupled-QD case it is irrelevant to the geometry of the QD molecule. The universal transport property is a powerful evidence for the feasibility to detect the MBSs based on a QD circuit. This result also means that the QD condition is not a key factor to achieve the detection. On the other hand, if the decoupling phenomenon appears, the Majorana zero mode may play a trivial role in contributing to the conductance property.     

Cross correlation mediated by distant Majorana zero modes with no overlap

Existing studies via shot noise calculation conclude that the cross correlation between the currents in the two leads connected by a pair of Majorana zero modes(MZMs)vanishes when their coupling energy??∈_M→0.Motivated by the intrinsic nature of nonlocality of the MZMs,we revisit this important problem and propose an experimental scheme to demonstrate the nonvanishing cross correlation even at the limit??∈_M→0.The proposed scheme employs the Andreevprocess-associated branch circuit currents,which are theoretically obtained by applying a decomposition analysis for the total currents while are accessible directly in practical measurement.For different bias voltage setup,we find intriguing results of both negative and positive correlations and carry out simple physical understanding using a quantum jump technique.Importantly,combining together with the evidence of the zero-bias-peak of conductance,the nonlocal cross correlation predicted in this work can help to confirm the existence of the nonlocal MZMs.     

Mobility edges and reentrant localization in one-dimensional dimerized non-Hermitian quasiperiodic lattice

The mobility edges and reentrant localization transitions are studied in one-dimensional dimerized lattice with nonHermitian either uniform or staggered quasiperiodic potentials.We find that the non-Hermitian uniform quasiperiodic disorder can induce an intermediate phase where the extended states coexist with the localized ones,which implies that the system has mobility edges.The localization transition is accompanied by the PT symmetry breaking transition.While if the non-Hermitian quasiperiodic disorder is staggered,we demonstrate the existence of multiple intermediate phases and multiple reentrant localization transitions based on the finite size scaling analysis.Interestingly,some already localized states will become extended states and can also be localized again for certain non-Hermitian parameters.The reentrant localization transitions are associated with the intermediate phases hosting mobility edges.Besides,we also find that the non-Hermiticity can break the reentrant localization transition where only one intermediate phase survives.More detailed information about the mobility edges and reentrant localization transitions are presented by analyzing the eigenenergy spectrum,inverse participation ratio,and normalized participation ratio.     

Josephson current through a quantum dot molecule with a Majorana zero mode and Andreev bound states

Based on the Green's function method, we investigate the interplay between Majorana zero mode (MZM) and Andreev bound states (ABSs) in a quantum dot molecule side coupled to a topological superconducting nanowire with a pair of MZMs forming a Josephson junction. Since the strong electron–hole asymmetry induced by the nanowire with a topologically non-trivial phase, the MZM suppress the ABSs. The suppression induced by the MZM is robust against the Coulomb repulsion. The interplay between the MZM and the ABSs in Josephson junction presents a feasible experimental means for distinguish between the presence of MZM and ABSs.     

Classical impurities and boundary Majorana zero modes in quantum chains

We study the response of classical impurities in quantum Ising chains. The Z₂${\mathbb{Z}}_2$ degeneracy they entail renders the existence of two decoupled Majorana modes at zero energy, an exact property of a finite system at arbitrary values of its bulk parameters. We trace the evolution of these modes across the transition from the disordered phase to the ordered one and analyze the concomitant qualitative changes of local magnetic properties of an isolated impurity. In the disordered phase, the two ground states differ only close to the impurity, and they are related by the action of an explicitly constructed quasi-local operator. In this phase the local transverse spin susceptibility follows a Curie law. The critical response of a boundary impurity is logarithmically divergent and maps to the two-channel Kondo problem, while it saturates for critical bulk impurities, as well as in the ordered phase. The results for the Ising chain translate to the related problem of a resonant level coupled to a 1d p-wave superconductor or a Peierls chain, whereby the magnetic order is mapped to topological order. We find that the topological phase always exhibits a continuous impurity response to local fields as a result of the level repulsion of local levels from the boundary Majorana zero mode. In contrast, the disordered phase generically features a discontinuous magnetization or charging response. This difference constitutes a general thermodynamic fingerprint of topological order in phases with a bulk gap.     

Quenched Fano effect due to one Majorana zero mode coupled to the Fano interferometer

We investigate the change of the Fano effect by considering one Majorana zero mode to couple laterally to the single-dot Fano interferometer. It is found that the Majorana zero mode quenches the Fano effect thoroughly and causes the conductance to be independent of the dot level, the dot-lead coupling, and the increase of the Majorana-dot coupling. As a result, the linear conductance becomes only related to the interlead coupling and the magnetic-flux phase factor. These results can be helpful for the detection of Majorana zero mode.     

电子型FeSe基高温超导体的磁通束缚态与Majorana零能模

作为凝聚态物理中一类新奇准粒子态,Majorana零能模(Majorana zero mode)由于可用来实现拓扑量子计算而成为当前的研究热点.理论预言,Majorana零能模可作为特殊的束缚态出现在一些拓扑超导体的磁通涡旋中.但实际超导体磁通中还可能存在其他低能束缚态或杂质态,这给Majorana零能模的辨别和具体应用带来了困难.目前实验上寻找合适的拓扑超导体系、分辨出清晰的Majorana零能模仍然是十分迫切的.本文主要介绍最近利用高能量分辨的扫描隧道显微镜,对电子掺杂铁硒类超导体(Li,Fe)OHFeSe和单层FeSe/SrTiO3磁通态进行的研究.实验上在前者的自由磁通中观测到清晰的零能模,并进一步测量到Majorana零能模的重要特征—量子化电导.而在后者磁通中只发现常规Caroli-de Gennes-Matricon(CdGM)束缚态,反映出s波对称性的特征.这系列实验既为Majorana零能模物性的进一步研究提供了合适平台,也为澄清铁基超导体中拓扑超导电性的来源提供了线索.     

Invariable mobility edge in a quasiperiodic lattice

We analytically and numerically study a 1 D tight-binding model with tunable incommensurate potentials.We utilize the self-dual relation to obtain the critical energy,namely,the mobility edge.Interestingly,we analytically demonstrate that this critical energy is a constant independent of strength of potentials.Then we numerically verify the analytical results by analyzing the spatial distributions of wave functions,the inverse participation rate and the multifractal theory.All numerical results are in excellent agreement with the analytical results.Finally,we give a brief discussion on the possible experimental observation of the invariable mobility edge in the system of ultracold atoms in optical lattices.     

具有p波超流的一维非公度晶格中迁移率边研究

研究了具有p波超流的一维非公度晶格中迁移率边的性质. 发现适当的p波超流可以增加体系中的迁移率边的数目, 并且通过多分形分析确定了迁移率边所在的位置.     

Majorana neutrino transition magnetic moment in a variant of Zee model with horizontal symmetry

A SU(2) _H symmetric variant of Zee model of lepton flavor violation is presented and is shown to lead to neutrino transition magnetic moment of the order required to explain the solar neutrino deficit and the possible anticorrelation of solar neutrino flux with sunspot activity via VVO mechanism. The use of horizontal symmetry leads to totally degenerate neutrino states which may be combined to form a ZKM Dirac neutrino with naturally small mass.     

Topological phase transition in a ladder of the dimerized Kitaev superconductor chains

We investigate the topological properties of a ladder model of the dimerized Kitaev superconductor chains.The topological class of the system is determined by the relative phase θ between the inter-and intra-chain superconducting pairing.One topological class is the class BDI characterized by the Z index,and the other is the class D characterized by the Z_2 index.For the two different topological classes,the topological phase diagrams of the system are presented by calculating two different topological numbers,i.e.,the Z index winding number W and the Z_2 index Majorana number M,respectively.In the case of θ=0,the topological class belongs to the class BDI,multiple topological phase transitions accompanying the variation of the number of Majorana zero modes are observed.In the case of θ = π/2 it belongs to the class D.Our results show that for the given value of dimerization,the topologically nontrivial and trivial phases alternate with the variation of chemical potential.     

The phase transition in a one-dimensional lattice of axisymmetric bodies

The partition function is studied for an array of axisymmetric, hard bodies (capped cylinders, etc.) with each fixed at the base on a regular one-dimensional lattice. It is shown that if a phase transition occurs in a system ofn molecules, then it also occurs in a system of two molecules for the same value of the spacing parameter. With certain additional technical assumptions the converse is also true. Results are reported specifically for a system of thin, hard rods. Necessary and sufficient conditions are shown for a first-order transition to occur in the thermodynamic limit; there is only one transition and that happens when the spacing parameter is equal to the length of the rod. As expected, there is no phase transition when the rod is contracted to a point.     

Phase diagram of a family of one-dimensional nearest-neighbor tight-binding models with an exact mobility edge

Recently, an interesting family of quasiperiodic models with exact mobility edges(MEs) has been proposed(Phys.Rev. Lett. 114 146601(2015)). It is self-dual under a generalized duality transformation. However, such transformation is not obvious to map extended(localized) states in the real space to localized(extended) ones in the Fourier space. Therefore,it needs more convictive evidences to confirm the existence of MEs. We use the second moment of wave functions, Shannon information entropies, and Lypanunov exponents to characterize the localization properties of the eigenstates, respectively.Furthermore, we obtain the phase diagram of the model. Our numerical results support the existing analytical findings.     

Uncertainties of clock and shift operators for an electron in one-dimensional nonuniform lattice systems

The clock operator U and shift operator V are higher-dimensional Pauli operators. Just recently, tighter uncertainty relations with respect to U and V were derived, and we apply them to study the electron localization properties in several typical one-dimensional nonuniform lattice systems. We find that uncertainties △ U² are less than, equal to, and greater than uncertainties △ V² for extended, critical, and localized states, respectively. The lower bound LB of the uncertainty relation is relatively large for extended states and small for localized states. Therefore, in combination with traditional quantities, for instance inverse participation ratio, these quantities can be as novel indexes to reflect Anderson localization.