Majorana fermions in topological superconducting quantum wires and wells

• Grant number: 12/20199-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: February 01, 2013
• End date: January 31, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Physics - Condensed Matter Physics
• Principal Investigator: José Carlos Egues de Menezes
• Grantee: Edson Vernek
• Host Institution: Instituto de Física de São Carlos (IFSC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

In this proposal we present research plans to study Majorana Fermions in topological superconductors. We will address the problem by investigating the properties of the Kitaevtoy model in the presence of metallic contacts and a more realistic quantum wire system.To investigate the Kitaev model with metallic contacts, we will employ the Green's function method that allows us to obtain the spectral properties of the Majorana modes in thesystem. In studying the Majoranas in quantum wells we will start from the basic ingredients necessary for the appearance of Majorana zero modes, namely the spin-orbit coupling,the superconducting proximity effect and an external magnetic eld. We will also includethe electron-electron interaction in a 2D system, and investigate how the e-e induced gapaffects the condition for the appearance of Majorana modes. Our proposal involves topicsthat are at the frontier of condensed matter research and are actively being investigated bythe corresponding international scientic community. Our research will be carried out atIFSC/USP. (AU)