Josephson current signature of Floquet Majorana and topological accidental zero modes in altermagnet heterostructures

We theoretically investigate the generation and Josephson current signatures of Floquet Majorana end modes (FMEMs) in a periodically driven altermagnet (AM) heterostructure. Considering a one-dimensional (1D) Rashba nanowire (RNW) proximitized to a regular $s$-wave superconductor (SC) and a $d$-wave AM, we generate both 0- and $\ensuremath{\pi}$-FMEMs by driving the nontopological phase of the static system. Interestingly, the static counterpart hosts both topological Majorana zero modes (MZMs) and inquisitive nontopological accidental zero modes (AZMs) not originating from any metal-SC interface but rather intrinsic to the bulk of the isolated system. The periodic drive can gap out the static AZMs and generate robust $\ensuremath{\pi}$-FMEMs, termed as topological AZMs. We topologically characterize the emergent FMEMs via dynamical winding numbers exploiting chiral symmetry of the system. Moreover, we consider a periodically driven Josephson junction comprising a RNW/AM-based 1D topological superconduting setup. We identify the signature of MZMs and FMEMs utilizing the $4\ensuremath{\pi}$-periodic Josephson effect, distinguishing them from trivial AZMs exhibiting $2\ensuremath{\pi}$ periodicity, in both static and driven platforms. This Josephson current signal due to Majorana modes survives even in the presence of finite disorder. Our Letter establishes a route to realize and identify FMEMs in AM-based platforms through Floquet engineering and Josephson current response.

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Publication Details

Journal
Physical review. B./Physical review. B
Published
2025-11-08
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1103/prnx-47mk
Citations
1
Primary Topic
Topological Materials and Phenomena
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
1.25
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article

Josephson current signature of Floquet Majorana and topological accidental zero modes in altermagnet heterostructures

Arijit Saha, Tanay Nag, Debashish Mondal, Amartya Pal
1 citations
Physical review. B./Physical review. B
Topological Materials and Phenomena
1.25
article

Josephson current signature of Floquet Majorana and topological accidental zero modes in altermagnet heterostructures

Arijit Saha, Tanay Nag, Debashish Mondal, Amartya Pal
article en
1 citations

Abstract

We theoretically investigate the generation and Josephson current signatures of Floquet Majorana end modes (FMEMs) in a periodically driven altermagnet (AM) heterostructure. Considering a one-dimensional (1D) Rashba nanowire (RNW) proximitized to a regular $s$-wave superconductor (SC) and a $d$-wave AM, we generate both 0- and $\ensuremath{\pi}$-FMEMs by driving the nontopological phase of the static system. Interestingly, the static counterpart hosts both topological Majorana zero modes (MZMs) and inquisitive nontopological accidental zero modes (AZMs) not originating from any metal-SC interface but rather intrinsic to the bulk of the isolated system. The periodic drive can gap out the static AZMs and generate robust $\ensuremath{\pi}$-FMEMs, termed as topological AZMs. We topologically characterize the emergent FMEMs via dynamical winding numbers exploiting chiral symmetry of the system. Moreover, we consider a periodically driven Josephson junction comprising a RNW/AM-based 1D topological superconduting setup. We identify the signature of MZMs and FMEMs utilizing the $4\ensuremath{\pi}$-periodic Josephson effect, distinguishing them from trivial AZMs exhibiting $2\ensuremath{\pi}$ periodicity, in both static and driven platforms. This Josephson current signal due to Majorana modes survives even in the presence of finite disorder. Our Letter establishes a route to realize and identify FMEMs in AM-based platforms through Floquet engineering and Josephson current response.

Physical review. B./Physical review. BVol. 112(20)
Homi Bhabha National Institute (IN), Institute of Physics, Bhubaneshwar (IN), Birla Institute of Technology and Science - Hyderabad Campus (IN), Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani (IN)
Openalex Percentile: Top 15%
Topological Materials and Phenomena
1.25
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