Pronunciation: [mɐd͡ʒɔːɹˈɑːnə] (IPA) 
The word "majorana" is spelled as /maɪ(ə)rˈɑːnə/, with the stress on the second syllable. The first syllable is pronounced as "my" with a long "i" sound, followed by the phoneme /r/ and the stressed syllable "ah" with a long "a" sound. The ending syllable is pronounced as "nuh" with a schwa sound. This word is named after the Italian physicist Ettore Majorana, who made significant contributions to the field of quantum mechanics.
Majorana refers to various phenomena and concepts named after the Italian physicist Ettore Majorana.
In the field of particle physics, a Majorana particle is a hypothetical elementary particle that is its own antiparticle. Unlike most particles, which have distinct antiparticles, a Majorana particle is electrically neutral and possesses a quantum property known as Majorana fermion. These elusive particles have not been conclusively observed yet, but their existence is predicted in certain extensions of the standard model of particle physics. Majorana fermions could have profound implications for understanding the fundamental nature of matter and could play a significant role in the advancement of quantum computing.
Within the realm of condensed matter physics, Majorana quasiparticles are topological excitations appearing in certain types of materials called topological superconductors. These quasi-particles that behave as their own antiparticles exhibit non-Abelian statistics, which makes them potentially valuable for use in quantum computation and quantum information processing.
Furthermore, Majorana zero modes, also known as Majorana bound states, are localized quasiparticles residing at the ends of nanowires made from specific materials and subjected to superconducting conditions. These Majorana zero modes hold promise for the creation of robust qubits, which could significantly enhance the stability and computational power of future quantum computers.
Overall, the term "Majorana" encompasses a range of phenomena and concepts related to particles and quasiparticles that possess unique properties and potential applications in various branches of physics.
The word Majorana is derived from the surname of physicist Ettore Majorana. Ettore Majorana was an Italian physicist who made significant contributions to the fields of theoretical physics and quantum mechanics. He is best known for his work on Majorana fermions, which are elementary particles that bear his name.
Majorana fermions were hypothesized by Ettore Majorana in 1937. These fermions possess unique properties, such as being their own antiparticles, and their existence was later confirmed through various experiments. The scientific community adopted the term Majorana fermions to honor the contributions and achievements of Ettore Majorana, hence the origin of the term Majorana.
