On topological Properties of Superconducting Nanowires

Pikulin, D. (2013)

Doctoral Thesis

Topological superconductivity is a novel phenomenon, that has recently been predicted to exist in quantum wires. The first signatures of this new superconducting state have recently been reported. The difference with usual superconductors is the appearance of conducting edge states. It is of interest to investigate how all the well-known effects of superconductivity, including Andreev reflection and Josephson effect, are modified by these edge states, and also to discover new effects that appear only in topological superconductors. This investigation is the main topic of the thesis.

• Topological superconductor
• Majorana bound state
• Andreev reflection
• Josephson effect
• Parity conservation
• Nernst effect

• All authors: Pikulin, D.
• Supervisor: Beenakker, C.W.J.; Nazarov, Y.V.
• Committee: Eliel, E.R.; Kouwenhoven, L.P.; Schomerus, H.; Zaanen, J.
• Qualification: Doctor (dr.)
• Awarding Institution: Leiden Institute of Physics (LION), Faculty of Science, Leiden University
• Date: 2013-11-26
• Title of host publication: Casimir PhD Series
• ISBN (print): 9789085931706
• Name: 2013-29