Current inversion at the edges of a chiral $\mathbf{p}$-wave superconductor

Abstract

Motivated by Sr${}_2$RuO${}_4$, edge quasiparticle states are analyzed based on the self-consistent solution of the Bogolyubov-de Gennes equations for a topological chiral $p$-wave superconductor. Using a tight-binding model of a square lattice for the dominant $\gamma$-band we explore the non-trivial geometry and band structure dependence of the edge states and currents. As a peculiar finding we show that for high band fillings currents flow in reversed direction comparing straight and zigzag edges. We give a simple explanation in terms of the positions of the zero-energy bound states using a quasi-classical picture. We also show that a Ginzburg-Landau approach can reproduce these results. Moreover, the band filling dependence of the most stable domain wall structure is discussed.

5 pages, 4 figures

References in corpus (3)

• Observation of half-height magnetization steps in Sr2RuO4
• Surface States, Edge Currents and the Angular Momentum of Chiral p-wave Superfluids
• Suppression of spontaneous currents in Sr${}_2$RuO${}_4$ by surface disorder

Cited by in corpus (5)

• Non-topological nature of the edge current in a chiral p-wave superconductor
• Topological phase transitions in small mesoscopic chiral p-wave superconductors
• Geometry -- dependent effects in Majorana nanowires
• Interband interference effects at the edge of a multiband chiral p-wave superconductor
• Laser pulse probe of chirality of Cooper pairs