Objective
The realization of a topological superconductor (TS) and of Majorana fermion (MF) quasiparticles promises to open new avenues towards decoherence-robust topological quantum computing. However, further developments in this direction, including the investigation of their topological properties, have been hindered by the lack of a fully conclusive demonstration. In setups based on 1D nanostructures, e.g. semiconductor nanowires and magnetic adatom chains, this is linked to the difficulty to unambiguously assign the main reported signatures, a zero-bias peak in Andreev conductance, to MF modes. This proposal aims to overcome these limitations by exploring an alternative approach in which a 1D TS is built from the bottom up. In particular, arrays of proximity-coupled semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) will be explored as a platform for emulating the Kitaev chain. Such an approach offers the advantage that the evolution of subgap states into MF modes is followed during the assembly of the TS, thereby providing conclusive evidence of their realization. It also enables to controllably adjust the chain parameters to their optimal values where the topological array is most robust.
Recent work from the PI addressed in detail the single QD limit of these arrays, where important milestones have been reached. These include the demonstration of spin-polarized subgap states that are the atomic precursors of topological chains and MF modes, and of the precise electrical control over the parameters of proximity-coupled QDs. Here, the PI aims to take the subsequent steps and study the assembly of these building blocks into a 1D TS. The main goals will be to:
i) study the hybridization of subgap states into molecular levels as well as the spinless superconducting pairing in double QDs. This will shed light on the mechanisms involved in the formation of arrays;
ii) show conclusive signatures of MF quasiparticles in a topological triple QD array;
iii) study properties of MF modes.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences physical sciences theoretical physics particle physics fermions
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering computer hardware quantum computers
- natural sciences physical sciences electromagnetism and electronics semiconductivity
- natural sciences physical sciences electromagnetism and electronics superconductivity
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
ERC-STG - Starting Grant
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Call for proposal
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2016-STG
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
28049 MADRID
Spain
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.