Topological Superconductivity without Proximity Effect

TL;DR

This paper proposes a new approach to realizing topological superconductivity using materials with inherent spin-orbit coupling and superconductivity, avoiding the need for heterostructures with multiple layers.

Contribution

It introduces a lattice model demonstrating topological superconductivity in materials with intrinsic properties, bypassing the traditional heterostructure methods.

Findings

Topological superconductivity can occur in materials with intrinsic spin-orbit coupling and superconductivity.

The model shows non-trivial topological phases with d-wave symmetry and a $2 extpi$ phase twist.

Certain parameter regions support nodeless topological superconducting states.

Abstract

Majorana Fermions, strange particles that are their own antiparticles, were predicted in 1937 and have been sought after ever since. In condensed matter they are predicted to exist as vortex core or edge excitations in certain exotic superconductors. These are topological superconductors whose order parameter phase winds non-trivially in momentum space. In recent years, a new and promising route for realizing topological superconductors has opened due to advances in the field of topological insulators. Current proposals are based on semiconductor heterostructures, where spin-orbit coupled bands are split by a band gap or Zeeman field and superconductivity is induced by proximity to a conventional superconductor. Topological superconductivity is obtained in the interface layer. The proposed heterostructures typically include two or three layers of different materials. In the current work we propose a device based on materials with inherent spin-orbit coupling and an intrinsic tendency for superconductivity, eliminating the need for a separate superconducting layer. We study a lattice model that includes spin-orbit coupling as well as on-site and nearest neighbor interaction. Within this model we show that topological superconductivity is possible in certain regions of parameter space. These regions of non-trivial topology can be understood as a nodeless superconductor with d-wave symmetry which, due to the spin-orbit coupling, acquires an extra phase twist of $2\pi$.