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arXiv:2601.22226 · Physical Review Research

Andreev spin qubits based on the helical edge states of magnetically doped two-dimensional topological insulators

Edoardo Latini, Fausto Rossi, Fabrizio Dolcini

cond-mat.mes-hallcond-mat.supr-conquant-phSubmitted Jan 29, 2026• Announced Feb 2, 2026• 0 citations• Revised Jun 1, 2026 (v2)
v1 · Jan 29, 2026v2 · Jun 1, 2026v3 · Sep 4, 2026
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Abstract

We show that Andreev spin qubits can be realized in a Josephson junction based on the helical edge states of a two-dimensional topological insulator (quantum spin Hall system) proximized by superconducting films, in the presence of magnetic doping. We demonstrate that the electric dipole transitions between the Andreev spin states induced by the magnetic doping can be harnessed to manipulate the Andreev spin qubit by microwave radiation pulses, without applying an external Zeeman field or invoking ancillary states. We numerically simulate the realization of NOT and Hadamard quantum logic gates, and discuss implementations in realistic setups.

Journal reference
Phys. Rev. Research 8, 033197 (2026)
DOI
10.1103/jwtl-dz3v
Comments
20 pages, 10 figures

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•Jan 20, 2021•3 citations
We show that Andreev spin qubits can be realized in a Josephson junction based on the helical edge states of a two-dimensional topological insulator (quantum spin Hall system) proximized by superconducting films, in the presence of magnetic doping. We demonstrate that the electric dipole transitions between the Andreev spin states induced by the magnetic doping can be harnessed to manipulate the Andreev spin qubit by microwave radiation pulses, without applying an external Zeeman field or invoking ancillary states. We numerically simulate the realization of NOT and Hadamard quantum logic gates, and discuss implementations in realistic setups.
We study a hybrid structure of a ferromagnetic insulator and a superconductor connected by a weak link, which accommodates Andreev bound states whose spin degeneracy is lifted due to the exchange interaction with the ferromagnet. The resultant spin-resolved energy levels realize a two-state quantum system, provided that a single electron is trapped in the bound state, i.e., an Andreev spin qubit. The qubit state can be manipulated by controlling the magnetization dynamics of the ferromagnet, which mediates the coupling between external fields and the qubit. In particular, our hybrid structure provides a simple platform to manipulate and control the spin qubit using spintronic techniques. By employing a modified Hahn spin echo protocol for the magnetization dynamics, we show that our Andreev spin qubit can realize a nonadiabatic geometric gate.
We propose a variant of Andreev spin qubits (ASQs) defined in planar Josephson junctions based on spin-orbit coupled two-dimensional electron gases (2DEGs) in a weak out-of-plane magnetic field. The magnetic field induces a linear phase gradient across the junction, generating Josephson vortices that can host low-energy Andreev bound states (ABSs). We show that, in certain parameter regimes, the combined effect of the phase gradient and spin-orbit coupling stabilizes an odd-fermion parity ground state, where a single Josephson vortex binds a spinful low-energy degree of freedom that is energetically separated from the other ABSs. This low-energy degree of freedom can be exploited to define a special type of ASQ, which we dub the vortex spin qubit (VSQ). We show that single-qubit gates for VSQs can be performed via flux driving, while readout can be achieved by adapting standard circuit quantum electrodynamics (cQED) techniques developed for conventional ASQs. We further outline how an entangling two-qubit gate can be performed using an ac current drive. We argue that VSQs offer prospects for a substantial reduction in device complexity and hardware overhead compared to conventional ASQ implementations, while preserving key advantages such as supercurrent-based readout, single-qubit gates, and long-range two-qubit gates.
Arrays of superconducting qubits and cavities offer a promising route for realizing artificial materials. However, many analog simulations on superconducting circuit hardware have focused on bosonic systems. Fermionic simulations, in contrast, have largely relied on digital approaches. Here, we propose and study an alternative approach for analog fermionic quantum simulation based on arrays of mesoscopic Josephson junctions. These Josephson junction arrays implement an effective superlattice of Andreev bound state atoms that can trap individual fermionic quasiparticles and, due to their wave-function overlap, mediate quasiparticles hoppings. By developing a Wannier function approach, we show that these Andreev bound state arrays form an all-superconducting platform for emulating lattice models of fermionic quasiparticles that are phase and gate programmable. Interestingly, the junction lattices can also undergo a topological transition and host fermionic boundary modes that can be probed by conductance measurements. We hope our results will inspire the realization of artificial and topological materials on Andreev bound state quantum simulators.
We investigate the superconducting Anderson impurity model for interacting quantum dot Josephson junctions with spin-orbit coupling and a term accounting for tunnelling through higher-energy orbitals. These elements establish the conditions required for spin polarization in the absence of external magnetic field at finite superconducting phase bias. This Hamiltonian has been previously used to model the Andreev spin qubit, where quantum information is encoded in spinful odd-parity subgap states. Here we instead analyse the even-parity sector, i.e., the Andreev pair qubit based on Andreev bound states (ABS). The model is solved using the zero-bandwidth approximation and the numerical renormalization group, with further insight from variational calculations. Electron-electron interaction admixes single-occupancy Yu-Shiba-Rusinov (YSR) components into the ABS states, thereby strongly enhancing spin transitions in the presence of spin-orbit coupling. The ABS states can thus become sensitive to local magnetic field fluctuations, which has implications for decoherence in Andreev pair qubits. For strong interaction U U , especially in the cross-over region between the ABS and YSR regimes for U \sim 2\Delta U ∼ 2 Δ , charge, spin, and inductive transitions can all become strong, offering avenues for spin control and quantum transduction.
The modern understanding of the Josephson effect in mesosopic devices derives from the physics of Andreev bound states, fermionic modes that are localized in a superconducting weak link. Recently, Josephson junctions constructed using semiconducting nanowires have led to the realization of superconducting qubits with gate-tunable Josephson energies. We have used a microwave circuit QED architecture to detect Andreev bound states in such a gate-tunable junction based on an aluminum-proximitized indium arsenide nanowire. We demonstrate coherent manipulation of these bound states, and track the bound-state fermion parity in real time. Individual parity-switching events due to nonequilibrium quasiparticles are observed with a characteristic timescale T_{parity}=160±10 μs. The T_{parity} of a topological nanowire junction sets a lower bound on the bandwidth required for control of Majorana bound states.
A practical quantum computer demands a physical quantum bit (qubit) that is scalable, has a well-defined initial state, and brings together coherence with reliable control and read-out. A compelling idea is to put together a locally protected Majorana qubit with a superconducting qubit. The superconducting qubit is used to read out the Majorana states while the Majorana qubit may act as a quantum memory. This thesis presents a series of studies on quantum transport in semiconducting nanowires coupled to superconductors to investigate various platforms for realizing Majorana. These studies are followed by microwave measurements on superconducting circuits compatible with semiconducting-superconducting heterostructures. We first evaluate the potential of Ge/Si core/shell nanowires by achieving induced superconductivity as well as estimating spin-orbit coupling. Next we explore the transport mediated by Andreev bound states formed in InSb nanowire quantum. A subgap negative differential conductance is investigated together with the coalescing Andreev resonances at zero bias relevant for the correct interpretation of Majorana experiments done on the same structures. We conclude our studies of semiconducting nanowires by exploring tunnel junctions in Sn-InSb nanowires that are prepared by in-situ shadowing using nearby nanowires and flakes. Tin shells are found to induce a hard superconducting gap persisting up to high magnetic fields. We observe the two-electron charging effect from a small superconducting island of Sn-InSb. This effect is attributed to charge parity stability, which makes this nanowire system an intriguing candidate for superconducting and topological quantum circuits. These Sn-InSb junctions are then used as the nonlinear element in a transmon qubit design where we observe a dispersive coupling between this nanowire Josephson junction and a superconducting resonator. We also present our progress towards building a magnetic field resilient superconducting circuit that allows integration with semiconducting and topological structures. In the last chapter, InSb semiconducting nanowires are utilized as shadow masks prior to superconductor deposition on an InAs quantum well. We study Josephson current properties in Josephson junctions made from these nanowire shadows. Our results point to highly transparent junctions that can be developed further for hybrid superconductor-semiconductor qubit systems.