Majorana Kramers pair in a nematic vortex
Abstract
A time-reversal (TR) invariant topological superconductor is characterized by a Kramers pair of Majorana zero-energy modes on boundaries and in a core of a TR invariant vortex. A vortex defect that preserves TR symmetry has remained primarily of theoretical interest, since typically a magnetic field, which explicitly breaks TR, needs to be applied to create vortices in superconductors. In this paper, we show that an odd-parity topological superconductor with a nematic pairing order parameter can host a nematic vortex that preserves TR symmetry and binds a Majorana Kramers pair. Such a nematic superconductor could be realized in metal-doped Bi2Se3, as suggested by recent experiments. We provide an analytic solution for the zero modes in a continuous nematic vortex. In lattice, crystalline anisotropy can pin the two-component order parameter along high-symmetry directions. We show that a discrete nematic vortex, which forms when three nematic domains meet, also supports a TR pair of Majorana modes. Lastly, we discuss possible experiments to probe the zero modes.
- Authors:
-
- Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
- Publication Date:
- Research Org.:
- Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
- Sponsoring Org.:
- USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES) (SC-22), Materials Sciences and Engineering Division; USDOE
- OSTI Identifier:
- 1367162
- Alternate Identifier(s):
- OSTI ID: 1361570
- Grant/Contract Number:
- AC02-06CH11357
- Resource Type:
- Accepted Manuscript
- Journal Name:
- Physical Review B
- Additional Journal Information:
- Journal Volume: 95; Journal Issue: 22; Journal ID: ISSN 2469-9950
- Publisher:
- American Physical Society (APS)
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND SUPERFLUIDITY
Citation Formats
Wu, Fengcheng, and Martin, Ivar. Majorana Kramers pair in a nematic vortex. United States: N. p., 2017.
Web. doi:10.1103/PhysRevB.95.224503.
Wu, Fengcheng, & Martin, Ivar. Majorana Kramers pair in a nematic vortex. United States. https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.95.224503
Wu, Fengcheng, and Martin, Ivar. Mon .
"Majorana Kramers pair in a nematic vortex". United States. https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.95.224503. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1367162.
@article{osti_1367162,
title = {Majorana Kramers pair in a nematic vortex},
author = {Wu, Fengcheng and Martin, Ivar},
abstractNote = {A time-reversal (TR) invariant topological superconductor is characterized by a Kramers pair of Majorana zero-energy modes on boundaries and in a core of a TR invariant vortex. A vortex defect that preserves TR symmetry has remained primarily of theoretical interest, since typically a magnetic field, which explicitly breaks TR, needs to be applied to create vortices in superconductors. In this paper, we show that an odd-parity topological superconductor with a nematic pairing order parameter can host a nematic vortex that preserves TR symmetry and binds a Majorana Kramers pair. Such a nematic superconductor could be realized in metal-doped Bi2Se3, as suggested by recent experiments. We provide an analytic solution for the zero modes in a continuous nematic vortex. In lattice, crystalline anisotropy can pin the two-component order parameter along high-symmetry directions. We show that a discrete nematic vortex, which forms when three nematic domains meet, also supports a TR pair of Majorana modes. Lastly, we discuss possible experiments to probe the zero modes.},
doi = {10.1103/PhysRevB.95.224503},
journal = {Physical Review B},
number = 22,
volume = 95,
place = {United States},
year = {Mon Jun 05 00:00:00 EDT 2017},
month = {Mon Jun 05 00:00:00 EDT 2017}
}
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