Andreev spectroscopy of Majorana states in topological superconductors with multipocket Fermi surfaces

Abstract

The topological properties of a multiband topological superconductor in two dimensions are studied, when the latter is obtained by introducing electron pairing in an otherwise topological insulator. The type of pairing, doping and Fermi surface topology play an essential role. Considering the Andreev reflection problem, we use a previously developed quantum waveguide theory for multiorbital systems and find that, when the Fermi surface has several pockets, this theory retrieves the correct number of Majorana fermion states as predicted by the topological index. By varying band structure parameters, the Fermi surface topology of the normal phase can be made to change, whereby the number of Majorana modes also varies. We calculate the effect of such transitions on the Andreev differential conductance.

7 pages, 6 figures

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