Scanning Majorana Microscope Experiments and Data Analysis

Majorana zero modes are being studied as a potential qubit for a next-generation topological quantum computer. Protected by topology and particle-hole symmetry, Majorana zero modes are insensitive to local perturbations, unlike typical qubit architectures. The Scanning Majorana Microscope is a novel technique developed to detect a unique signature of Majorana zero modes. The microscope uses a sensitive charge-sensing circuit to count individual electrons entering a metallic quantum dot on the tip of a glass scanning probe. Due to a small signal size on the scale of attofarads, up to two thousand curves are required. Previously, data intake and analysis required a lot of manual work to average these curves together. This project uses Python to quantitatively analyze this data quickly. This analysis produces a capacitance signal with a series of distinct peaks and a flat baseline. Once a capacitance peak is isolated from the averages, indicating a single electron tunneling into the quantum dot, a Python script is used to fit the peak against an experimental model for single-electron peaks, which incorporates thermal broadening and an RC integration effect.