Topological phases of strongly interacting time-reversal invariant topological superconducting chains under a magnetic field

Abstract

Using the density-matrix renormalization group, we determine the different topological phases and low-energy excitations of a time-reversal invariant topological superconducting (TRITOPS) wire with extended s-wave superconductivity, Rashba spin-orbit coupling (SOC) and on-site repulsion U, under an externally applied Zeeman field J. For the case in which J is perpendicular to the SOC, the model describes a chain of Shiba impurities on top of a superconductor with extended superconductor pairing. We identify the different topological phases of the model at temperature T=0, and in particular we study the stability of the TRITOPS phase against the Zeeman field J and the chemical potential μ, for different values of U. In the case where the magnetic field J is perpendicular to the SOC axis, the pair of Kramers degenerate Majorana zero modes at the edges of the system that exist for J=0, remain degenerate until a critical value of the magnetic field is reached. For J parallel to the SOC and up to moderate values of U, the fractional spin projection 〈Sy〉=1/4 at the ends, found for noninteracting wires at U=0, is recovered. In addition, the analytic expression that relates 〈Sy〉 with J for finite noninteracting chains is shown to be universal up to moderate values of U.

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