Exploration of Majorana bound states in topological superconductors

Abstract

Majorana bound states are considered useful for realizing topological quantum computation since they obey the non-Abelian quantum statistics. Recent experiments have provided evidences for their existence in some superconducting systems, triggering significant interests from scientists in the field of condensed matter physics and related materials science. In this article, we briefly review the basic concepts and recent developments in the study of Majorana bound states. We first discuss about the origin of the nontrivial topology in superconducting systems within the Bogoliubov-de Gennes mean-field scheme. Then we show the construction of Majorana quasiparticle excitations from an electronic state, and the realization of non-Abelian statistics based on position exchanges of the Majorana bound states hosted in superconductivity vortices. Afterwards we talk about specific one-dimensional and two-dimensional topological superconductors, and propose possible experimental methods for detecting Majorana bound states and operating the Majorana qubits. In particular, a quantum device for Majorana braiding without moving vortices is introduced. Finally, perspectives of the study on Majorana bound states are provided.