Controllable creation of topological boundary states in topological-insulator-based Josephson corner junctions

Xiang Wang; Duolin Wang; Yunxiao Zhang; Xiaozhou Yang; Yukun Shi; Bing Li; Enna Zhuo; Yuyang Huang; Anqi Wang; Zhaozheng Lyu; Xiaohui Song; Peiling Li; Bingbing Tong; Ziwei Dou; Jie Shen; Guangtong Liu; Fanming Qu; Li Lu

arXiv · 2505.08290

Controllable creation of topological boundary states in topological-insulator-based Josephson corner junctions

Xiang Wang·Duolin Wang·Yunxiao Zhang·Xiaozhou Yang·Yukun Shi·Bing Li·Enna Zhuo·Yuyang Huang·Anqi Wang·Zhaozheng Lyu·Xiaohui Song·Peiling Li·Bingbing Tong·Ziwei Dou·Jie Shen·Guangtong Liu·Fanming Qu·Li Lu

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Abstract

Majorana zero modes (MZMs) in condensed matter systems have attracted great attention in the past two decades, due to their interesting physics and potential application in topological quantum computing (TQC). However, the topologically protected nature of MZMs still need more experimental verifications. In this study, we have realized controllable creation of a topological boundary state at the corner of topological insulator (TI)-based Josephson corner junctions. This state demonstrates protected existence across a broad region in parametric space, and exhibits a non-2{\pi}-period but 4{\pi}-period-compatible energy-phase relation. Our study suggests that TI-based Josephson junctions, as proposed in the Fu-Kane scheme of TQC, may provide a promising platform for hosting and braiding MZMs.

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Xiang Wang, Duolin Wang, Yunxiao Zhang, Xiaozhou Yang, Yukun Shi, Bing Li, Enna Zhuo, Yuyang Huang, Anqi Wang, Zhaozheng Lyu, Xiaohui Song, Peiling Li, Bingbing Tong, Ziwei Dou, Jie Shen, Guangtong Liu, Fanming Qu, Li Lu. 2025-05-13. Controllable creation of topological boundary states in topological-insulator-based Josephson corner junctions. https://arxiv.org/abs/2505.08290

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