MAJOR (101124770)

  https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101124770

  Horizon Europe (2021-2027)

  Majorana zero mode control and detection platform

  ERC CONSOLIDATOR GRANTS (ERC-2023-COG)

  microscopy  ·  quantum computers  ·  semiconductivity  ·  superconductivity

  2025-02-01 Start Date (YY-MM-DD)

  2030-01-31 End Date (YY-MM-DD)

  € 1,997,500

  Description

The non-abelian state of matter has not been experimentally confirmed and remains an important field of research. Its detection and manipulation are critical in order to develop a coherent quantum computer in the future. The overarching goal of this proposal is to build a working topological qbit based on the braiding of Majorana zero modes (MZMs). But there are two main challenges. The first is to create a 2D environment where such states can be adiabatically spatially exchanged, while the second is to detect the presence and the evolution of such a state. To overcome these challenges, I will combine two novel techniques that are currently not widely available: (a) the SQUID-on-tip (SOT) magnetic and thermal microscopy and (b) a platform to manipulate vortices at the nanoscale that was developed by my research group. The research will focus on the MZM, which is one of the candidates for a non-abelian state. In particular, I will consider MZMs predicted to be localized at the center of vortices or skyrmion-vortex pairs (SVP). The project has three work packages: (1) develop a novel platform for vortex and skyrmion manipulation, including the integration of a charge detector to detect the vortex charge in trivial vortices. (2) Investigate different materials and their related heterostructures that could host MZMs at the center of vortices or SVP. These materials include FeTeSe and heterostructures, such as strong spin-orbit semiconductor/superconductor, ferromagnets/superconductors. (3) Combine the results from WP1 and WP2 to detect the presence of MZMs. This includes gapless edge state and fractional vortices detection using the SOT, and charge sensing developed in WP1. This ambitious project has the potential to revolutionize quantum computing and quantum materials physics. By enabling new experiments, it will establish a new field where 2D exchange statistics can be directly controlled and observed.

  Complicit Organisations

1 Israeli organisation participates in MAJOR.