Majorana zero modes in the hopping-modulated one-dimensional p-wave superconducting model

Area of Science:

• Condensed Matter Physics
• Topological Superconductivity
• Quantum Phenomena

Background:

• Investigating Majorana zero modes (MZMs) is crucial for topological quantum computing.
• Periodic modulations in superconducting systems can lead to novel topological phases.
• Understanding the role of hopping modulation is key to controlling MZMs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the impact of periodically modulated hopping on Majorana zero modes (MZMs) in a 1D p-wave superconductor.
• To determine how the modulation period affects the number and existence of MZMs.
• To compare the topological properties of modulated hopping with modulated potential.

Main Methods:

• Theoretical investigation of a one-dimensional p-wave superconducting model.
• Analysis under time-reversal symmetry conditions.
• Derivation of the conditions for MZM existence.

Main Results:

• The number of MZMs is highly sensitive to the modulation period.
• Odd modulation periods allow a maximum of one MZM.
• Even modulation periods can host zero, one, or two MZMs, which are also dependent on chemical potential.

Conclusions:

• The number of Majorana zero modes is tunable by the modulation period in this system.
• Topological properties differ significantly from models with modulated potential.
• The findings provide insights into controlling topological states in superconducting systems.