Degeneracy lifting of zero energy (Majorana) modes in a chiral p-wave superconductor due to the tunneling between vortices.

ORAL

Abstract

We study lifting of the degeneracy of the zero energy (Majorana) modes in a chiral $p_x+ip_y$ superconductor caused by tunneling between states localized in two different vortex cores. Using Bogoliubov-de Gennes equations, we analytically calculate the energy splitting of the Majorana modes as a function of the distance between two vortices. Our result may have applications in testing Majorana state by tunneling spectroscopy and the realization of topological quantum computation in chiral p-wave superconductors.

*This work was supported by JQI and ARO-DARPA

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Authors

  • Meng Cheng

    • University of Maryland

  • Roman Lutchyn

    • Condensed Matter Theory Center (CMTC) and Joint Quantum Institute (JQI), University of Maryland, College Park, MD
    • Condensed Matter Theory Center (CMTC) and Joint Quantum Institute (JQI), Department of Physics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD
    • University of Maryland

  • Victor Galitski

    • University of Maryland
    • Condensed Matter Theory Center, Department of Physics, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742
    • University of Maryland, College Park

  • Sankar Das Sarma

    • Condensed Matter Theory Center, Department of Physics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD
    • University of Maryland
    • University of Maryland, College Park
    • Condensed Matter Theory Center, Department of Physics, University of Maryland, College Park MD 20742