Frustration-free Hamiltonians supporting Majorana zero edge modes
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Published version
Author(s)
Jevtic, S
Barnett, R
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
A one-dimensional fermionic system, such as a superconducting wire, may host Majorana zero-energy edge modes (MZMs) at its edges when it is in the topological phase. MZMs provide a path to realising fault-tolerant quantum computation, and so are the focus of intense experimental and theoretical studies. However, given a Hamiltonian, determining whether MZMs exist is a daunting task as it relies on knowing the spectral properties of the Hamiltonian in the thermodynamic limit. The Kitaev chain is a paradigmatic non-interacting model that supports MZMs and the Hamiltonian can be fully diagonalised. However, for interacting models, the situation is far more complex. Here we consider a different classification of models, namely, ones with frustration-free Hamiltonians. Within this class of models, interacting and non-interacting systems are treated on an equal footing, and we identify exactly which Hamiltonians can realise MZMs.
Date Issued
2017-10-25
Date Acceptance
2017-08-29
Citation
New Journal of Physics, 2017, 19
ISSN
1367-2630
Publisher
Institute of Physics (IoP) and Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft
Journal / Book Title
New Journal of Physics
Volume
19
Copyright Statement
Original content from this work may be used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 licence. Any further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the title of the work, journal citation and DOI.
License URL
Sponsor
Commission of the European Communities
Grant Number
PCIG14-GA-2013-631002
Subjects
02 Physical Sciences
Fluids & Plasmas
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
103034