Phase-tunable Majorana bound states in a topological N-SNS junction

Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskriftTidsskriftartikelForskningfagfællebedømt

We theoretically study the differential conductance of a one-dimensional normal-superconductor-normal-superconductor (N-SNS) junction with a phase bias applied between the two superconductors. We consider specifically a junction formed by a spin-orbit coupled semiconducting nanowire with regions of the nanowire having superconducting pairing induced by a bulk s-wave superconductor. When the nanowire is tuned into a topologically nontrivial phase by a Zeeman field, it hosts zero-energy Majorana modes at its ends as well as at the interface between the two superconductors. The phase-dependent splitting of the Majorana modes gives rise to features in the differential conductance that offer a clear distinction between the topologically trivial and nontrivial phases. We calculate the transport properties of the junction numerically and also present a simple analytical model that captures the main properties of the predicted tunneling spectroscopy.
OriginalsprogEngelsk
Artikelnummer094501
TidsskriftPhysical Review B
Vol/bind93
Udgave nummer9
Antal sider11
ISSN2469-9950
DOI
StatusUdgivet - 1 mar. 2016

ID: 156934069