Elusive half-quantum vortices in a superfluid

Researchers have discovered half-quantum vortices in superfluid helium. This vortex is a topological defect, exhibited in superfluids and superconductors, which carries a fixed amount of circulating current. These objects originally predicted to exist in superfluid helium in 1976. The discovery will provide access to the cores of half-quantum vortices, hosting isolated Majorana modes, exotic solitary particles. Understanding these modes is essential for the progress of quantum information processing, building a quantum computer.

(via WSJ)