Majorana-magnon interactions in topological Shiba chains

Abstract

A chain of magnetic impurities deposited on the surface of a superconductor can form a topological Shiba band that supports Majorana zero modes and holds a promise for topological quantum computing. Yet, most experiments scrutinizing these zero modes rely on transport measurements, which only capture local properties. Here we propose to leverage the intrinsic dynamics of the magnetic impurities to access their non-local character. We use linear response theory to determine the dynamics of the uniform magnonic mode in the presence of external $ac$ magnetic fields and coupling the Shiba electrons. We demonstrate that this mode, which spreads over the entire chain of atoms, becomes imprinted with the parity of the ground state and, moreover, can discriminate between Majorana and trivial zero modes located at the ends of the chain. Our approach offers a non-invasive alternative to the scanning tunneling microscopy techniques used to probe Majorana zero modes. Conversely, the magnons could facilitate the manipulation of Majorana zero modes in topological Shiba chains.

5+9 pages, 8 figures, the final published version

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Cited by in corpus (5)

• Tutorial: Nonlinear magnonics
• Non-Hermitian Fermi-Dirac Distribution in Persistent Current Transport
• Magnetic flux induced higher-order topological superconductivity
• Magnetic flux induced topological superconductivity in magnetic atomic rings
• Distinguishing Majorana bound states from accidental zero-energy modes with a microwave cavity