Existence of Majorana-fermion bound states on disclinations and the classification of topological crystalline superconductors in two dimensions

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 TC...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inPhysical review letters Vol. 111; no. 4; p. 047006
Main Authors Teo, Jeffrey C Y, Hughes, Taylor L
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 26.07.2013
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Summary: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.
ISSN:1079-7114
DOI:10.1103/physrevlett.111.047006