Topological superconductivity in bilayer Rashba system

TL;DR

This paper theoretically explores the emergence of topological superconductivity in bilayer Rashba systems, highlighting conditions for realizing time-reversal invariant topological phases and proposing experimental signatures.

Contribution

It introduces a new theoretical framework for topological superconductivity in bilayer Rashba systems with specific conditions for non-trivial phases.

Findings

Topological superconductivity without breaking time-reversal symmetry is possible.

Hybridization gap and repulsive inter-layer interactions are key conditions.

Numerical edge channel analysis supports the theoretical predictions.

Abstract

We theoretically study a possible topological superconductivity in the interacting two layers of Rashba systems, which can be fabricated by the hetero-structures of semiconductors and oxides. The hybridization, which induces the gap in the single particle dispersion, and the electron-electron interaction between the two layers leads to the novel phase diagram of the superconductivity. It is found that the topological superconductivity {\it without breaking time-reversal symmetry} is realized when (i) the Fermi energy is within the hybridization gap, and (ii) the inter-layer interaction is repulsive, both of which can be satisfied in realistic systems. Edge channels are studied in a tight-binding model numerically, and the several predictions on experiments are also given.