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arXiv · 1201.3757

From Majorana Fermions to Topological Order

Barbara M. Terhal·Fabian Hassler·David P. DiVincenzo
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Abstract

We consider a system consisting of a 2D network of links between Majorana fermions on superconducting islands. We show that the fermionic Hamiltonian modeling this system is topologically-ordered in a region of parameter space. In particular we show that Kitaev's toric code emerges in fourth-order perturbation theory. By using a Jordan-Wigner transformation we can map the model onto a family of signed 2D Ising models in a transverse field where the signs (FM or AFM) are determined by additional gauge bits. Our mapping allows an understanding of the non-perturbative regime and the phase transition to a non-topological phase. We discuss the physics behind a possible implementation of this model and argue how it can be used for topological quantum computation by adiabatic changes in the Hamiltonian.

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Barbara M. Terhal, Fabian Hassler, David P. DiVincenzo. 2012-01-18. From Majorana Fermions to Topological Order. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.108.260504

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