We investigate traveling solitons of a one-or two-dimensional spin-orbit-coupled Fermi superfluid in both topologically trivial and nontrivial regimes by solving the static and time-dependent Bogoliubov-de Gennes equations. We find a critical velocity v(h) for traveling solitons that is much smaller than the value predicted using the Landau criterion due to spin-orbit coupling. Above vh, our time-dependent simulations in harmonic traps indicate that traveling solitons decay by radiating sound waves. In the topological phase, we predict the existence of peculiar Majorana solitons, which host two Majorana fermions and feature a phase jump of pi across the soliton, irrespective of the velocity of travel. These unusual properties of Majorana solitons may open an alternative way to manipulate Majorana fermions for fault-tolerant topological quantum computations.
Funding
ARC | FT130100815
ARC | DP140100637
ARC | DP140103231
ARC | FT140100003
Spin-orbit coupled quantum gases: understanding new generation materials with topological order : Australian Research Council (ARC) | DP140103231
Imbalanced superfluidity with cold atoms: a new way to understand unconventional superconductors and stellar superfluids : Australian Research Council (ARC) | FT130100815
Strongly repulsive ultracold atomic gases as a resource for quantum simulation : Australian Research Council (ARC) | DP140100637
Finding the lost particle: Majorana fermions in ultracold atoms : Australian Research Council (ARC) | FT140100003