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Robustness of the Kondo effect in a quantum dot coupled to Majorana zero modes

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Author(s):
Silva, Joelson F. ; Dias da Silva, Luis G. G. V. ; Vernek, E.
Total Authors: 3
Document type: Journal article
Source: PHYSICAL REVIEW B; v. 101, n. 7, p. 10-pg., 2020-02-25.
Abstract

The prospect of using semiconductor quantum dots as an experimental tool to distinguish Majorana zero modes (MZMs) from other zero-energy excitations such as Kondo resonances has brought up the fundamental question of whether topological superconductivity and the Kondo effect can coexist in these systems. Here, we study the Kondo effect in a quantum dot coupled to a metallic contact and to a pair of MZMs. We consider a situation in which the MZMs are spin polarized in opposite directions. By using numerical renormalization group calculations and scaling analysis of the renormalization group equations, we show that the Kondo effect takes place at low temperatures, regardless of the coupling to the MZMs. Interestingly, we find that the Kondo singlet essentially decouples from the MZMs such that the residual impurity entropy can show local non-Fermi-liquid properties characteristic of the single Majorana excitations. This offers the possibility of tuning between Fermi-liquid and non-Fermi-liquid regimes simply by changing the quantum-dot-MZM couplings. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 16/18495-4 - Electronic transport and correlation effects in topological materials
Grantee:Luis Gregório Godoy de Vasconcellos Dias da Silva
Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants