Topological superconductors are materials that combine the properties of superconductivity with those of topological phases. These materials have potential applications in quantum computing, particularly in the creation of Majorana fermions.
Majorana fermions, theoretical particles first predicted by Italian physicist Ettore Majorana in 1937, are zero-energy excitations that appear at the edges or vortices of topological superconductors. 2 They are unique in the sense that they are their own antiparticles. This peculiar property allows them to act as stable quantum states, resistant to the types of errors that are common in traditional qubits.
The topological nature of these superconductors provides a unique form of protection against environmental noise that arises from the non-local encoding of quantum information. The primary hurdle in building practical quantum computers is decoherence. In topological semiconductors, the information is distributed across multiple Majorana zero modes, making it more resistant to decoherence. This inherent stability distinguishes topological superconductors from conventional materials, placing them in a category of their own fourth state of matter beyond the traditional states. 1, 3, 4
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