Distinguishing between topological and quasi Majorana zero modes with a dissipative resonant level

Abstract

Distinguishing between topological Majorana zero modes and quasi Majorana modes---trivial low-energy Andreev bound states---is an important step towards realizing topological hybrid nanowire devices. We propose that this distinction can be made by connecting a hybrid nanowire to a dissipative resonant level realized by a quantum dot weakly coupled to high resistance leads. We show that the qualitative temperature scaling of the width of the resonant level zero-bias conductance peak provides a signature unique to true Majorana zero modes. The degeneracy induced by a true Majorana zero mode is further shown to stabilize this conductance peak against particle-hole asymmetry.