Detecting Majorana Zero Modes via Strong Field Dynamics

Abstract

We propose a protocol to detect topological phase transitions of one-dimensional p-wave superconductors from their harmonic emission spectra in strong fields. Specifically, we identify spectral features due to radiating edge modes, which characterize the spectrum and the density of states in the topological phase and are absent in the trivial phase. These features allow us to define a measurable signature, obtained from emission measurements, that unambiguously differentiates between the two phases. Local probing provides insight into the localized and topologically protected nature of the modes. The presented results establish that high-harmonic spectroscopy can be used as an all-optical tool for the detection of Majorana zero modes.