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Josephson current in a quantum dot coupled to a topological superconducting α-helical protein

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Abstract

We investigate the topological properties of a topological superconducting α-helical protein. It is shown that the Majorana zero modes can be formed at both ends of the topological superconducting α-helical protein with non-trivial phase. Our results indicate that the gate field can affect the topological phase. Employing Green’s function method, we investigate the Josephson current through a quantum dot side coupled to a topological superconducting α-helical protein. Due to leakage of the Majorana zero mode, the Josephson current shows a trivial/non-trivial phase transition. The results can be used to probe the existence of the Majorana zero mode in protein.

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Acknowledgements

This work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 12004264) and Natural Science Foundation of Hebei Province (Grant No. A2019210124).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mathematics and Physics, Shijiazhuang Tiedao University, Shijiazhuang, 050043, China

    Han-Zhao Tang & Guan-Jun Ding

  2. Shijiazhuang branch of China Science Publishing & Media Ltd., Shijiazhuang, 050000, China

    Xue-Wen Guo

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  1. Han-Zhao Tang
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  2. Guan-Jun Ding
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Correspondence to Han-Zhao Tang.

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Tang, HZ., Ding, GJ. & Guo, XW. Josephson current in a quantum dot coupled to a topological superconducting α-helical protein. Appl. Phys. A 127, 516 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-021-04643-1

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