Abstract

Engineering experimentally accessible solid state platforms that facilitate the realization of Majorana zero modes (MZMs) or parafermion has been a challenging task over recent years. In this talk, we explore possibilities for employing a complex edge consisting of both "downstream" and "upstream" chiral modes to design a MZM-supporting platform. We find that such a platform does not necessitate the introduction of an external superconducting contact. Specifically we consider the edge of a $\nu=2/3$ fractional quantum Hall phase and show that in a broad range of parameters, the boundary of an elongated quantum anti-dot ("quantum anti-wire") embedded in the $\nu =2/3$ phase can host MZMs composed of neutral constituents. The emergence of the MZMs is induced by gap-opening processes along the quantum anti-wire that are incompatible with gap-opening processes in the bulk of the $\nu=2/3$ state. An experimental setup to identify neutral MZMs is proposed.