Reference : Non-Abelian parafermions in time-reversal invariant interacting helical systems
 Document type : Scientific journals : Article Discipline(s) : Physical, chemical, mathematical & earth Sciences : Physics To cite this reference: http://hdl.handle.net/10993/20260
 Title : Non-Abelian parafermions in time-reversal invariant interacting helical systems Language : English Author, co-author : Orth, Christoph P. [> >] Tiwari, Rakesh P. [> >] Meng, Tobias [> >] Schmidt, Thomas [University of Luxembourg > Faculty of Science, Technology and Communication (FSTC) > Physics and Materials Science Research Unit > ; University of Basel > Department of Physics] Publication date : 2015 Journal title : Phys. Rev. B Volume : 91 Pages : 081406(R) Peer reviewed : Yes Abstract : [en] The interplay between bulk spin-orbit coupling and electron-electron interactions produces umklapp scattering in the helical edge states of a two-dimensional topological insulator. If the chemical potential is at the Dirac point, umklapp scattering can open a gap in the edge state spectrum even if the system is time-reversal invariant. We determine the zero-energy bound states at the interfaces between a section of a helical liquid which is gapped out by the superconducting proximity effect and a section gapped out by umklapp scattering. We show that these interfaces pin charges which are multiples of $e/2$, giving rise to a Josephson current with $8\pi$ periodicity. Moreover, the bound states, which are protected by time-reversal symmetry, are fourfold degenerate and can be described as $Z_4$ parafermions. We determine their braiding statistics and show how braiding can be implemented in topological insulator systems. Permalink : http://hdl.handle.net/10993/20260 Other URL : http://journals.aps.org/prb/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevB.91.081406 Commentary : arXiv:1405.4353 [cond-mat.mes-hall]

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