Momentum-resolved Majorana Band Spectroscopy

One of the most exciting topics in current condensed matter physics is the development of fault-tolerant quantum computing with qubits built from Majorana zero modes. Recently, Majorana modes have been discovered in several iron-based superconductors, which combine topological and superconducting properties in a single material. The discovery was accompanied by interesting observations that may indicate tunneling of Majorana modes between vortices. Generally, one may expect extended Majorana bands in a regular vortex lattice due to the overlap of their wave functions. The topic of interacting Majorana modes is not only highly relevant for technical applications, but it is a new fundamental research field. It promises exciting emergent phenomena from interacting Majoranas on vortex lattices. Therefore, it is crucial to study the momentum-resolved electronic structure of vortex lattices that host Majorana modes. We will combine angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) with in-situ magnetic field tuning to study Majorana bands in the vortex state of iron-based superconductors.

One of the most exciting topics in current condensed matter physics is the development of fault-tolerant quantum computing with qubits built from Majorana zero modes. Recently, Majorana modes have been discovered in several iron-based superconductors, which combine topological and superconducting properties in a single material. The discovery was accompanied by interesting observations that may indicate tunneling of Majorana modes between vortices. Generally, one may expect extended Majorana bands in a regular vortex lattice due to the overlap of their wave functions. The topic of interacting Majorana modes is not only highly relevant for technical applications, but it is a new fundamental research field. It promises exciting emergent phenomena from interacting Majoranas on vortex lattices. Therefore, it is crucial to study the momentum-resolved electronic structure of vortex lattices that host Majorana modes. We will combine angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) with in-situ magnetic field tuning to study Majorana bands in the vortex state of iron-based superconductors. The project involves a new method of affecting and determining the path of emitted electrons from the sample in the presence of an applied magnetic field. This instrumentation development would be a major addition to electron spectroscopy as a probe of quantum materials.