Majorana Qubits

We present an overview of Majorana qubits based on one-dimensional semiconducting nanowires partially covered with a conventional superconductor. Majorana zero modes emerge at the wire ends when this hybrid system transitions from a conventional superconducting phase to a topological phase, in general occurring on increasing a magnetic field. For sufficiently long wires different Majoranas are fully independent and Majorana-based qubit states become topologically protected, which make them insensitive to local sources of noise. We present qubit designs, materials and device development and ongoing experimental efforts.