@article{100, abstract = {We introduce a scheme for preparation, manipulation, and read out of Majorana zero modes in semiconducting wires with mesoscopic superconducting islands. Our approach synthesizes recent advances in materials growth with tools commonly used in quantum-dot experiments, including gate control of tunnel barriers and Coulomb effects, charge sensing, and charge pumping. We outline a sequence of milestones interpolating between zero-mode detection and quantum computing that includes (1) detection of fusion rules for non-Abelian anyons using either proximal charge sensors or pumped current, (2) validation of a prototype topological qubit, and (3) demonstration of non-Abelian statistics by braiding in a branched geometry. The first two milestones require only a single wire with two islands, and additionally enable sensitive measurements of the system\'s excitation gap, quasiparticle poisoning rates, residual Majorana zero-mode splittings, and topological-qubit coherence times. These pre-braiding experiments can be adapted to other manipulation and read out schemes as well.}, author = {Aasen, David and Hell, Michael and Mishmash, Ryan and Higginbotham, Andrew P and Danon, Jeroen and Leijnse, Martin and Jespersen, Thomas and Folk, Joshua and Marcs, Charles and Flensberg, Karsten and Alicea, Jason}, journal = {Physical Review X}, number = {3}, publisher = {American Physical Society}, title = {{Milestones toward Majorana-based quantum computing}}, doi = {10.1103/PhysRevX.6.031016}, volume = {6}, year = {2016}, }