Abstract
We theoretically explore the Floquet generation of Majorana end modes (MEMs; both regular 0 modes and anomalous modes) implementing a periodic sinusoidal modulation in the chemical potential in an experimentally feasible setup based on a one-dimensional chain of magnetic impurity atoms having spin spiral configuration (out-of-plane Néel type) fabricated on the surface of a common bulk -wave superconductor. We obtain a rich phase diagram in the parameter space, highlighting the possibility of generating multiple 0- and -MEMs localized at the end of the chain. We also study the real-time evolution of these emergent MEMs, especially when they start to appear in the time domain. These MEMs are topologically characterized by employing the dynamical winding number. We observe that the existing perturbative analysis is unable to explain the numerical findings, indicating the complex mechanism behind the formation of the Floquet Shiba minigap, which is characteristically distinct from other setups, e.g., the Rashba nanowire model. We also discuss the possible experimental parameters in connection to our model. Our work paves the way to realize Floquet MEMs in a magnet-superconductor heterostructure.
- Received 12 April 2023
- Revised 4 July 2023
- Accepted 20 July 2023
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.108.L081403
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