This is part of a virtual seminar series in theoretical condensed matter and atomic physics, with the aim to connect researchers working at different Nordic universities.
Experimental realization and detection of majorana fermions (who are their own antiparticles) and non-Abelian anyons (which have non-Abelian exchange statistics) are among the major goals in physics. In recent years, there have emerged a number of solid state material platforms predicted to host quasiparticles behaving like majorana fermions and non-Abelian anyons, with the latter attracting strong interests for potential applications in topologically protected quantum information. In this talk, I will describe our recent experimental programs studying topological insulators interfaced with superconductors, where a “topological superconductor” is supposed to emerge that can host (itinerant) majorana fermions, which can become non-Abelian anyons when localized as majorana zero modes. I will describe efforts to develop relevant materials and heterostructures, characterize key properties and develop experimental probes (transport including those with spin-sensitive devices and phase-sensitive Josephson junctions, and even STM based local probes) that may help detect and manipulate majoranas and non-Abelian anyons in these material platforms. If time allows, I may briefly discuss another emerging anyonic material platform -- candidate quantum spin liquid materials such as insulating RuCl3, where spin-based excitations are suggested to give a charge-less version of majorana fermions and non-Abelian anyons under appropriate conditions.
Zoom-link: https://nordita.org/zoom/nvcms