Kitaev chain

The Kitaev chain is a theoretical model in condensed matter physics that describes a one-dimensional system of interacting particles, specifically focusing on how certain conditions can lead to unusual behaviors like Majorana fermions—exotic particles that can exist at the ends of a chain. This model helps researchers understand topological phases of matter, where the system's properties are influenced more by its overall structure than by individual particles. The Kitaev chain is important for studying quantum computing and could aid in developing fault-tolerant quantum computers due to its robust quantum states.