Work

Existence of Majorana-Fermion Bound States on Disclinations and the Classification of Topological Crystalline Superconductors in Two Dimensions

Year: 2013

Type: article

Abstract: We prove a topological criterion for the existence of a zero-energy Majorana bound state on a disclination, a rotation symmetry breaking point defect, in fourfold symmetric topological crystalline superconductors (TCS) in two dimensions. We first establish a complete topological classification of TCS using the Chern invariant and three integral rotation invariants. By analytically and numerically studying disclinations, we algebraically deduce a Z2 index that identifies the parity of the number of Majorana zero modes at a disclination. Surprisingly, we also find weakly protected Majorana fermions bound at the corners of superconductors with trivial Chern and weak invariants.

Source: Physical Review Letters

DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.111.047006

Authors: Jeffrey C. Y. Teo, Taylor L. Hughes

Institutions: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Anthony J. Leggett Institute for Condensed Matter Theory

Language: English

Topic: Topological Materials and Phenomena

Subfield: Condensed Matter Physics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funder: Office of Naval Research

Award: G4824813411