Condensed Matter Seminar: Yuval Oreg, Weizmann Institute of Science, “Superconducting topological phases: theory and applications”

In this talk, I’ll discuss superconducting lattices in which the superconductor is deposited periodically on a one- or two-dimensional sample. We suggest that a superconducting lattice is a practical realization platform for a variety of topological superconducting phases, which overcomes the challenge of controlling the chemical potential. We show how zero-energy Majorana modes emerge at the ends of a one-dimensional system proximity coupled to a one-dimensional superconducting lattice, and continue to present superconducting lattice based realizations of two-dimensional topological phases. If time permits I will discuss how to manipulate, (using adiabatic changes of variables or teleportation by measurements) Majorana zero modes to form a ‘magic gate’ completing a set of gates needed for a universal topological quantum computation.