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Optical Manipulation of Domains in Chiral Topological Superconductors

ORAL

Abstract

Optical control of chirality in chiral superconductors bears the potential for future topological quantum
computing applications. When a chiral domain is written and erased by a laser spot, Majorana modes around the domain can be manipulated on ultrafast time scales. Here we study topological superconductors with two chiral order parameters coupled via light fields by a time-dependent real-space Ginzburg-Landau approach. Continuous optical driving, or the application of supercurrent, hybridizes the two chiral order parameters, allowing one to induce and control the superconducting state beyond equilibrium. We show that superconductivity can even be enhanced if the mutual coupling between the two order parameters is sufficiently strong. Furthermore, we demonstrate that short optical pulses with spot size larger than a critical one can overcome a counteracting diffusion effect and write, erase, or move chiral domains. These domains are found to be stable, which might enable optically programmable quantum computers in the future.

Presenters

  • Tao Yu

    theory department, Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter, Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter

Authors

  • Tao Yu

    theory department, Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter, Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter

  • Martin Claassen

    Department of Physics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Flat Iron Institute

  • Dante Kennes

    Institut fur Theorie der Statistischen Physik, RWTH Aachen, RWTH Aachen University, Institut für Theorie der Statistischen Physik, RWTH Aachen University, Institute for Theory of Statistical Physics, Aachen University, RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Institute for Theory of Statistical Physics, RWTH Aachen University

  • Michael Sentef

    Max Planck Inst Structure & Dynamics of Matter, theory department, Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter, Theory, Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter, Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter, Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter, Hamburg, Germany