By Prof. Carlo Beenakker
Instituut-Lorentz, Leiden University

ABSTRACT: Two-dimensional superconductors with broken time-reversal symmetry have been predicted to support topologically protected chiral edge states, providing a superconducting counterpart to the quantum Hall effect in semiconductors. The edge states carry charge-neutral quasiparticles, coherent superpositions of electrons and holes referred to as "Majorana fermions". After several decades of unsuccesful search for these edge states, an experimental observation was reported earlier this year [Science 357, 294 (2017)]. We present an overview of electrical and thermal probes of the superconducting edge states, focusing on unique signatures of their Majorana nature. Background reading: "A road to reality with topologicalsuperconductors", arXiv:1606.09439.

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