Index theorem for topological heterostructure systems

Abstract

We apply the Niemi-Semenoff index theorem to an s-wave superconductor junction system attached with a magnetic insulator on the surface of a three-dimensional topological insulator. We find that the total number of the Majorana zero energy bound states is governed not only by the gapless helical mode but also by the massive modes localized at the junction interface. The result implies that the topological protection for Majorana zero modes in class D heterostructure junctions may be broken down under a particular but realistic condition.

8 pages, 3 figures

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• Chiral Dirac Superconductors: Second-order and Boundary-obstructed Topology
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• A Dirac fermion model associated with second order topological insulator
• Higher-order topological superconductors from Weyl semimetals
• Multiple Vortex Cores in 2D Electronic Systems with Proximity Induced Superconductivity
• Vortex matter in low dimensional systems with proximity induced superconductivity