Quantum dots as parafermion detectors

• Published in: Physical review research 2021-07, Vol.3 (3), p.033014, Article 033014
• Main Authors: Teixeira, Raphael L. R. C., Dias da Silva, Luis G. G. V.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 2643-1564; 2643-1564
• DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevResearch.3.033014

Parafermionic zero modes, Z_{n}-symmetric generalizations of the well-known Z_{2} Majorana zero modes, can emerge as edge states in topologically nontrivial strongly correlated systems displaying fractionalized excitations. In this paper, we investigate how signatures of parafermionic zero modes can be detected by its effects on the properties of a quantum dot tunnel-coupled to a system hosting such states. Concretely, we consider a strongly correlated one-dimensional fermionic model supporting Z_{4} parafermionic zero modes coupled to an interacting quantum dot at one of its ends. By using a combination of density matrix renormalization group calculations and analytical approaches, we show that the dot's zero-energy spectral function and average occupation numbers can be used to distinguish between trivial, Z_{4} and 2×Z_{2} phases of the system. The present work opens the prospect of using quantum dots as detection tools to probe nontrivial topological phases in strongly correlated systems.