Josephson current via an isolated Majorana zero mode

Journal article (2021)

Authors

C. Liu QRD/Wimmer Group - QuTech Advanced Research Centre , Kavli institute of nanoscience Delft
B. van Heck Microsoft Quantum Lab Delft, BUS/Quantum Delft - QuTech Advanced Research Centre
M.T. Wimmer Kavli institute of nanoscience Delft, QRD/Wimmer Group - QuTech Advanced Research Centre
Research Group
QRD/Wimmer Group (QuTech Advanced Research Centre) (TU Delft)
Copyright: © 2021 C. Liu, B. van Heck, M.T. Wimmer
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.103.014510
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Published Date

2021

Language

English

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Faculty

QuTech Advanced Research Centre

Department

Qubit Research Division

Research Group

QRD/Wimmer Group

Abstract

We study the equilibrium dc Josephson current in a junction between an s-wave and a topological superconductor. Cooper pairs from the s-wave superconducting lead can transfer to the topological side either via an unpaired Majorana zero mode localized near the junction or via the above-gap continuum states. We find that the Majorana contribution to the supercurrent can be switched on when time-reversal symmetry in the conventional lead is broken, e.g., by an externally applied magnetic field inducing a Zeeman splitting. Moreover, if the magnetic field has a component in the direction of the effective spin-orbit field, there will be a Majorana-induced anomalous supercurrent at zero phase difference. These behaviors may serve as a signature characteristic of Majorana zero modes and are accessible to devices with only superconducting contacts.