Odd-frequency pairing and proximity effect in Kitaev chain systems including a topological critical point

Abstract

In this paper, we investigate the relation between odd-frequency pairing and proximity effect in non-uniform Kitaev chain systems with a particular interest in the topological critical point. First, we correlate the odd-frequency pairing and Majorana fermion in a semi-infinite Kitaev chain, where we find that the spatial dependence of the odd-frequency pair amplitude coincides with that of the local density of states at low frequencies. Second, we demonstrate that, contrary to the standard view, the odd-frequency pair amplitude spreads into the bulk of a semi-infinite Kitaev chain at the topological critical point. Finally, we show that odd-frequency Cooper pairs cause the proximity effect in a normal metal/diffusive normal metal/ Kitaev chain junction even at the topological critical point. Our results hold relevance to the investigation of odd-frequency pairing and topological superconductivity in more complicated systems that involve Rashba nanowire with magnetic fields.