One of the most exciting areas of research in quantum condensed matter physics is the push to create topologically protected qubits using non-Abelian anyons. The focus of these efforts has been Majorana zero modes (MZMs), which are predicted to emerge as localized zero-energy states at the ends of 1D topological superconductors. A key role in the search for experimental signatures of these quasiparticles has been played by the scanning tunnelling microscope (STM). The power of high-resolution STM techniques is perhaps best illustrated by their application in identifying MZMs in 1D chains of magnetic atoms on the surface of a superconductor. In this platform, STM spectroscopic mapping has demonstrated the localized nature of MZM zero-energy excitations at the ends of such chains, and experiments with superconducting and magnetic STM tips have been used to uniquely distinguish them from trivial edge modes. Beyond the atomic chains, STM has also uncovered signatures of MZMs in 2D materials and topological surface and boundary states, when they are subjected to the superconducting proximity effect. Looking ahead, future STM experiments may be able to demonstrate the non-Abelian statistics of MZMs.

量子凝聚态物理学中最令人兴奋的研究领域之一是推动使用非阿贝尔任意子创建受拓扑保护的量子位。这些努力的重点是马约拉纳零模 (MZM)，预计它们将作为一维拓扑超导体末端的局部零能态出现。扫描隧道显微镜 (STM) 在寻找这些准粒子的实验特征方面发挥了关键作用。高分辨率 STM 技术在识别超导体表面的一维磁性原子链中的 MZM 方面的应用可能最能说明它们的威力。在这个平台上，STM 光谱映射证明了 MZM 零能量激发在这种链的末端的局部性质，超导和磁性 STM 尖端的实验已被用于将它们与微不足道的边缘模式区分开来。除了原子链，STM 还发现了 MZMs 在 2D 材料和拓扑表面和边界状态中的特征，当它们受到超导邻近效应时。展望未来，未来的 STM 实验可能能够证明 MZM 的非阿贝尔统计。