Theoretical Physics Colloquium

Majorana fermions, non-Abelian statistics, and topological quantum computation using semiconductors

by Prof. Sumanta Tewari (Clemson University)

Asia/Kolkata
A304 (Colaba Campus)

A304

Colaba Campus

Description
Majorana fermions, particles which are their own antiparticles unlike regular fermions, were envisioned by E. Majorana in 1935 to describe neutrinos. A condensed matter realization of Majorana fermions is in itself a remarkable phenomenon because of the fundamental new properties of this (so far unrealized) particle. Recently there has also been a resurgence of interest in Majorana fermions because of their potential use in topological quantum computation (TQC), an idea based on non-Abelian quantum statistics. We have made significant progress in proposing a promising new condensed matter platform for Majorana fermions, have analyzed its properties, and have proposed the relevant TQC architectures. In this talk I will review the main concepts of non-Abelian statistics, TQC, Majorana fermions, Majorana based TQC, and our new proposal which may potentially lead to a condensed matter realization of this exotic quantum particle.