Theory of non-Abelian Fabry-Perot interferometry in topological insulators

Abstract

Interferometry of non-Abelian edge excitations is a useful tool in topological quantum computing. In this paper we present a theory of a non-Abelian edge-state interferometer in a three-dimensional topological insulator brought in proximity to an s -wave superconductor. The non-Abelian edge excitations in this system have the same statistics as in the previously studied 5/2 fractional quantum-Hall (FQH) effect and chiral p -wave superconductors. There are however crucial differences between the setup we consider and these systems, like the need for a converter between charged and neutral excitations and the neutrality of the non-Abelian excitations. These differences manifest themselves in a temperature scaling exponent of -7/4 for the conductance instead of -3/2 as in the 5/2 FQH effect. © 2010 The American Physical Society.