Observing and braiding topological Majorana modes on programmable quantum simulators

This paper demonstrates the verifiable identification and braiding of topological Majorana modes using a superconducting quantum processor as a quantum simulator. By simulating fermions on a one-dimensional lattice subject to a periodic drive, the existence of Majorana modes localized at the edges is confirmed and distinguished from other trivial modes. A non-adiabatic technique is proposed and implemented to simulate braiding, revealing correct braiding statistics. This work opens avenues for studying topological models of matter using circuit-based simulations and showcases the accessibility of complex quantum phenomena via cloud-run quantum simulations.

Nikhil Harle, Oles Shtanko, Ramis Movassagh