Superconducting order parameter π-phase shift in magnetic impurity wires

• It has previously been found that a magnetic impurity in a conventional s-wave superconductor can give rise to a local π-phase shift of the superconducting order parameter. By studying a finite wire of ferromagnetic impurities, we are able to trace the origin of the π-phase shift to a resonance condition for the Bogoliubov-de Gennes quasiparticle states. When non-resonating states localized at the impurity sites are pulled into the condensate for increasing magnetic strength, the superconducting order parameter is reduced in discrete steps, eventually resulting in a π-phase shift. We also show that for a finite spin-orbit coupling, the π-phase shift is preserved and occurs in a large portion of the topologically non-trivial phase.

Subject headings

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Fysik -- Den kondenserade materiens fysik (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Physical Sciences -- Condensed Matter Physics (hsv//eng)

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Fysik (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Physical Sciences (hsv//eng)

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ref (subject category)

art (subject category)