We propose a set of interferometric methods on how to detect Majorana bound states induced by a topological insulator. The existence of these states can be easily determined by the conductance oscillations as function of magnetic flux and/or electric voltage. We study the system in the presence and absence of Majorana bound states and observe strikingly different behaviors. Importantly, we show that the presence of coupled Majorana bound states can induce a persistent current in absence of any external magnetic field.Comment: 7 pages, 6 figures, 1 table, revised and expanded, accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.

Shot noise cross-correlations in normal metal-superconductor-normal metal structures are discussed at arbitrary interface transparencies using both the scattering approach of Blonder, Tinkham and Klapwik and a microscopic Green's function approach. Surprisingly, negative crossed conductance in such set-ups [R. Mélin and D. Feinberg, Phys. Rev. B 70, 174509 (2004)] does not preclude the possibility of positive noise cross-correlations for almost transparent contacts. We conclude with a phenomenological discussion of interactions in the one dimensional leads connected to the superconductor, which induce sign changes in the noise cross-correlations.

A quantum pump device involving magnetic barriers produced by the deposition of ferro magnetic stripes on hetero-structures is investigated. The device for dc-transport does not provide spinpolarized currents, but in the adiabatic regime, when one modulates two independent parameters of this device, spin-up and spin-down electrons are driven in opposite directions, with the net result being that a finite net spin current is transported with negligible charge current. We also analyze our proposed device for inelastic-scattering and spin-orbit scattering. Strong spin-orbit scattering and more so inelastic scattering have a somewhat detrimental effect on spin/charge ratio especially in the strong pumping regime. Further we show our pump to be almost noiseless, implying an optimal quantum spin pump.

We consider a model for a single molecule with a large frozen spin sandwiched in between two BCS superconductors at equilibrium, and show that this system has a π junction behavior at low temperature. The π shift can be reversed by varying the other parameters of the system, e.g., temperature or the position of the quantum dot level, implying a controllable π junction with novel application as a Josephson current switch. We show that the mechanism leading to the π shift can be explained simply in terms of the contributions of the Andreev bound states and of the continuum of states above the superconducting gap. The free energy for certain configuration of parameters shows a bistable nature, which is a necessary pre-condition for achievement of a qubit.