Title
Quantized Majorana conductance
Author
Zhang, H. (TU Delft QRD/Kouwenhoven Lab)
Liu, Chun Xiao (University of Maryland)
Gazibegovic, S. (TU Delft QRD/Kouwenhoven Lab; Eindhoven University of Technology) 
Xu, D. (TU Delft QRD/Kouwenhoven Lab)
Logan, John A. (University of California)
Wang, Guanzhong (TU Delft QRD/Kouwenhoven Lab)
van Loo, N. (TU Delft Applied Sciences)
Bommer, J.D.S. (TU Delft QRD/Kouwenhoven Lab)
de Moor, M.W.A. (TU Delft QRD/Kouwenhoven Lab)
Car, D. (TU Delft QRD/Kouwenhoven Lab; Eindhoven University of Technology)
op het Veld, R.L.M. (TU Delft QRD/Kouwenhoven Lab; Eindhoven University of Technology)
Van Veldhoven, Petrus J. (Eindhoven University of Technology)
Kölling, S. (TU Delft QRD/Kouwenhoven Lab; Eindhoven University of Technology)
Verheijen, M.P.A.M. (TU Delft Integral Design & Management; Eindhoven University of Technology; Philips Research)
Pendharkar, Mihir (University of California)
Pennachio, Daniel J. (University of California)
Shojaei, Borzoyeh (University of California)
Lee, Joon Sue (University of California)
Palmstrøm, Chris J. (University of California)
Bakkers, E.P.A.M. (TU Delft QN/Bakkers Lab; Eindhoven University of Technology)
Sarma, S. Das (University of Maryland)
Kouwenhoven, Leo P. (TU Delft QRD/Kouwenhoven Lab; Microsoft Quantum Lab Delft)
Faculty
Applied Sciences
Date
2018-04-05
Abstract
Majorana zero-modes - a type of localized quasiparticle - hold great promise for topological quantum computing. Tunnelling spectroscopy in electrical transport is the primary tool for identifying the presence of Majorana zero-modes, for instance as a zero-bias peak in differential conductance. The height of the Majorana zero-bias peak is predicted to be quantized at the universal conductance value of 2e 2 /h at zero temperature (where e is the charge of an electron and h is the Planck constant), as a direct consequence of the famous Majorana symmetry in which a particle is its own antiparticle. The Majorana symmetry protects the quantization against disorder, interactions and variations in the tunnel coupling. Previous experiments, however, have mostly shown zero-bias peaks much smaller than 2e 2 /h, with a recent observation of a peak height close to 2e 2 /h. Here we report a quantized conductance plateau at 2e 2 /h in the zero-bias conductance measured in indium antimonide semiconductor nanowires covered with an aluminium superconducting shell. The height of our zero-bias peak remains constant despite changing parameters such as the magnetic field and tunnel coupling, indicating that it is a quantized conductance plateau. We distinguish this quantized Majorana peak from possible non-Majorana origins by investigating its robustness to electric and magnetic fields as well as its temperature dependence. The observation of a quantized conductance plateau strongly supports the existence of Majorana zero-modes in the system, consequently paving the way for future braiding experiments that could lead to topological quantum computing.
Subject
Electronic properties and materials
Nanowires
Superconducting properties and materials
To reference this document use:
http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:f4e3eb5b-6c8b-43a8-8b9d-80d213984aa8
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/nature26142
Embargo date
2018-09-28
ISSN
0028-0836
Source
Nature: international weekly journal of science, 556 (7699), 74-79
Bibliographical note
Accepted Author Manuscript This title has a addendum: editorial expression of concern, see Relations below
Part of collection
Institutional Repository
Document type
journal article
Rights
© 2018 H. Zhang, Chun Xiao Liu, S. Gazibegovic, D. Xu, John A. Logan, Guanzhong Wang, N. van Loo, J.D.S. Bommer, M.W.A. de Moor, D. Car, R.L.M. op het Veld, Petrus J. Van Veldhoven, S. Kölling, M.P.A.M. Verheijen, Mihir Pendharkar, Daniel J. Pennachio, Borzoyeh Shojaei, Joon Sue Lee, Chris J. Palmstrøm, E.P.A.M. Bakkers, S. Das Sarma, Leo P. Kouwenhoven