Topologically Enabled Superconductivity

Michael A. Rampp, Elio J. König, and Jörg Schmalian
Phys. Rev. Lett. 129, 077001 – Published 10 August 2022
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Abstract

Majorana zero modes are a much sought-after consequence of one-dimensional topological superconductivity. Here, we show that, in turn, zero modes accompanying dynamical instanton events strongly enhance—in some cases even enable—superconductivity. We find that the dynamics of a one-dimensional topological triplet superconductor is governed by a θ term in the action. For isotropic triplets, this term enables algebraic charge-2e superconductivity, which is destroyed by fluctuations in nontopological superconductors. For anisotropic triplets, zero modes suppress quantum phase slips and stabilize superconductivity over a large region of the phase diagram. We present predictions of correlation functions and thermodynamics for states of topologically enhanced superconductivity.

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  • Received 14 August 2021
  • Revised 9 February 2022
  • Accepted 18 July 2022

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.129.077001

© 2022 American Physical Society

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

Condensed Matter, Materials & Applied Physics

Authors & Affiliations

Michael A. Rampp1, Elio J. König2, and Jörg Schmalian1,3

  • 1Institute for Theory of Condensed Matter, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, 76131 Karlsruhe, Germany
  • 2Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research, D-70569 Stuttgart, Germany
  • 3Institute for Quantum Materials and Technologies, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, 76021 Karlsruhe, Germany

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Issue

Vol. 129, Iss. 7 — 12 August 2022

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