Combating quasiparticle poisoning with multiple Majorana fermions in a periodically-driven quantum wire

Area of Science:

• Quantum Computing
• Condensed Matter Physics
• Quantum Information Science

Background:

• Quasiparticle poisoning is a major obstacle in Majorana-based quantum computing, reducing computational time by compromising qubit isolation.
• Existing quantum systems require complete isolation from the environment to maintain qubit coherence, which is difficult to achieve.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a method for generating multiple Majorana fermions using periodic driving.
• To introduce a quantum error correction protocol to combat quasiparticle poisoning.
• To demonstrate the feasibility of this protocol using existing experimental setups.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing periodic driving to create multiple Majorana fermions at the ends of a quantum wire.
• Developing a stabilizer code protocol for detecting and correcting single quasiparticle poisoning events.
• Measuring stabilizer operators via Majorana parity-dependent four-terminal conductance.

Main Results:

• Periodic driving successfully generates multiple Majorana fermions, offering resources for active error correction.
• A novel stabilizer code can effectively detect and correct single quasiparticle poisoning events.
• The proposed protocol is compatible with current proximitized semiconducting nanowire platforms.

Conclusions:

• Periodic driving offers a viable strategy to overcome quasiparticle poisoning in Majorana quantum computing.
• The developed error correction protocol provides a practical solution for enhancing computational time.
• This work paves the way for more robust and scalable Majorana-based quantum computers.