Title:
Near-zero-energy end states in topologically trivial spin-orbit coupled
superconducting nanowires with a smooth confinement
Author(s):
Kells, Graham; Meidan, Dganit; Brouwer, Piet W.
Year of publication:
2012
Available Date:
2014-03-03
Abstract:
A one-dimensional spin-orbit coupled nanowire with proximity-induced pairing
from a nearby s-wave superconductor may be in a topological nontrivial state,
in which it has a zero-energy Majorana bound state at each end. We find that
the topological trivial phase may have fermionic end states with an
exponentially small energy, if the confinement potential at the wire's ends is
smooth. The possible existence of such near-zero-energy levels implies that
the mere observation of a zero-bias peak in the tunneling conductance is not
an exclusive signature of a topological superconducting phase, even in the
ideal clean single channel limit.
Part of Identifier:
ISSN (print): 1098-0121
DDC-Classification:
530 Physik
Publication Type:
Wissenschaftlicher Artikel
Also published in:
Physical Review B. - 86 (2012), 10, Artikel Nr. 100503/1-5
URL of the Original Publication:
DOI of the Original Publication:
Department/institution:
Physik
Institut für Theoretische Physik
Comments:
Der Artikel wurde in einer Open-Access-Zeitschrift publiziert.