Evidence for dispersing 1D Majorana channels in an iron-based superconductor

A possible propagating Majorana Majorana states in solid-state systems may one day form a basis for topological quantum computing. Most of the candidates identified so far have been Majorana bound states, but theorists have predicted that propagating Majorana states may exist as well. Wang et al. looked for such a state on the surface of the material FeSe 0.45 Te 0.55 (see the Perspective by Tewari and Stanescu). Using scanning tunneling spectroscopy, the researchers measured a flat, bias-independent density of states along a particular type of domain wall, which was consistent with a theoretical prediction for a propagating Majorana state in this material. Although topologically trivial origins of this finding are difficult to completely rule out, the work is likely to stimulate interest in iron-based superconductors as hosts of Majorana states. Science , this issue p. 104 ; see also p. 23