Paper detail

Effective low energy theory for surface Andreev bound states of superconducting phases in generalized Bernevig-Hughes-Zhang models

A method for constructing the low energy effective models for pairings in the generalized Bernevig-Hughes-Zhang model for materials like Bi$_{2}$Se$_{3}$ is proposed. Pairings in this two-orbital model are identified with those familiar in one-orbital models, enabling a unified understanding. The theory provides an easy way to understand the topological nature of the superconducting state that is not directly related to the topological order in the normal state but due to subtle coupling among the degrees of freedom. Furthermore this approach shows a simple way to characterize the anisotropic nature of surface Andreev bound states (SABSs). In particular, we have identified the conditions to have a surprising new result of having two pairs of SABSs. It also leads to a conclusion that SABSs always connect with the topological surface states if the latter are well defined at the chemical potential.