Majorana fermions in strongly interacting helical liquids

Eran Sela, Alexander Altland, Achim Rosch

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Majorana fermions were proposed to occur at edges and interfaces of gapped one-dimensional systems where phases with different topological character meet due to an interplay of spin-orbit coupling, proximity-induced superconductivity and external magnetic fields. Here we investigate the effect of strong particle interactions and show that a helical liquid offers a mechanism that protects the very existence of Majorana edge states: whereas moderate interactions close the proximity gap that supports the edge states, in helical liquids the gap reopens due to two-particle processes. However, gapless fermionic excitations occur at spatial proximity to the Majorana states at interfaces and may jeopardize their long-term Majorana coherence.

Original languageEnglish
Article number085114
JournalPhysical Review B - Condensed Matter and Materials Physics
Volume84
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - 22 Aug 2011
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Condensed Matter Physics

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