Topological superconductivity in phase-controlled Josephson junction arrays

by Prof. Yuval Oreg

WIS

at Condensed Matter Seminar

Mon, 19 May 2025, 11:10
Sacta-Rashi Building for Physics (54), room 207

Abstract

The search for low-dimensional topological superconductivity is fueled by the promise of new and exotic physics, such as chiral superconductivity and non-Abelian anyons. However, the need to break time-reversal symmetry, usually by applying a relatively large external magnetic field, has hindered the realization of these novel phases of matter due to the deterioration effects of the field on the superconductor. We propose to break the time-reversal symmetry by controlling and tuning the superconductors' phases only to a regime where topological superconductivity emerges without needing an external exchange field. Our platforms rely on commonly available semiconductor-superconductor heterostructures, where spin-orbit coupling plays a central role. The main advantages of our approach over the existing ones are its tunability, suitability to a wide range of materials, and lack of magnetic field-induced impurity states.

Created on 12-05-2025 by Bar Lev, Yevgeny (ybarlev)
Updaded on 12-05-2025 by Bar Lev, Yevgeny (ybarlev)