Realization of a minimal Kitaev chain using quantum dotsLeo Kouwenhoven, Delft

We present experiments on quantum dots defined in InSb nanowires with a controllable coupling to a superconductor. This hybrid system can be tuned towards the required conditions for a Kitaev chain. We have realized a minimal cell Kitaev chain. Due to the short length a topological phase in the bulk is absent and the Majorana bound states localized on the outer quantum dots have been dubbed before as 'poor mans Majoranas'. This short system does contain some level of protection agains local perturbations. Ongoing work is on extending the minimal cell towards longer chains.