Majorana Zero Modes in Semiconductor Nanowires in Contact with Higher-$T_c$ Superconductors

Abstract

We analyze the prospects for stabilizing Majorana zero modes in semiconductor nanowires that are proximity-coupled to higher-temperature superconductors. We begin with the case of iron pnictides which, though they are s-wave superconductors, are believed to have superconducting gaps that change sign. We then consider the case of cuprate superconudctors. We show that a nanowire on a step-like surface, especially in an orthorhombic material such as YBCO, can support Majorana zero modes at an elevated temperature.

References added

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Cited by in corpus (2)

• Majorana bound states and non-local spin correlations in a quantum wire on an unconventional superconductor
• Evidence for a New Excitation at the Interface Between a High-Tc Superconductor and a Topological Insulator