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Topological quantum bound states: Shiba, Majorana, and parafermions bound states

Research Project
 | 
01.09.2016
 - 31.03.2021

The present proposal focuses on topological quantum effects in condensed matter physics. Topological quantum effects is a relatively young field, however, it has the potential to become an essential part of future technology. The field began with purely theoretical proposals on topologically protected quantum computation schemes, however, in a very short time, first seminal experiments demonstrating signatures of topological insulators and Majorana bound states were carried out. These pioneering experiments give us hope that indeed topological effects and their unique stability to local perturbations exist in Nature even if it is not so straightforward to access them. The main goal of this proposal is to substantially contribute to the current progress of the emerging field of topological quantum effects with a strong link to experimental activity carried out in this area. One of the focus of our proposal lies on atomic magnetic chains on superconducting surfaces. Here, we are motivated by recent experiments in Princeton and at my home institution that observed the first signature of Majorana bound states. However, their interpretation is still under intense debate by leading experts worldwide as many effects were not taken into account in the first theoretical analyses. The systematic analytical and numerical studies are of great importance for this growing field of activities. Moreover, the strategy we pursue is not to focus on characterization of already existing systems but also to continue the search for the experimentally relevant systems with topological properties. By combining well-known ingredients, such as spin orbit interaction (intrinsic and synthetic), superconductivity, and electron-electron interactions, we plan to identify novel setups which can host topological excitations, in particular of non-Abelian character such as Ising or Fibonacci anyons. In particular, we plan to work on the following topics:2.A Single magnetic impurities on superconducting surfaces. Suppression of the local superconducting pairing amplitude, magnetic configuration of two spin impurities, pi junction, Shiba bound states, Andreev bound states.2.B Chains of magnetic impurities: generation and manipulation of Majorana bound states. RKKY systems and Majorana bound states, interpretation of recent experiments, proximity-induced superconductivity in atomic chains, localization lengths, local change of the topological criterion.2.C Edge states of two-dimensional topological insulators: Majorana bound states and parafermions. Local magnetic doping, spin filtering effects, fast spin-switches manipulated by electric fields, electron-electron interactions.

Funding

Topological quantum bound states: Shiba, Majorana, and parafermions bound states

SNF Projekt (GrantsTool), 09.2016-08.2019 (36)
PI : Klinovaja, Jelena.

Members (7)

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Jelena Klinovaja

Principal Investigator
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Henry Legg

Project Member
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Ferdinand Schulz

Project Member
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Flavio Ronetti

Project Member
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Oindrila Deb

Project Member
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Olesia Dmytruk

Project Member
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