Theory of Surface Andreev Bound States and Odd-Frequency Pairing in Superconductor Junctions

Abstract

In this review, we mention about the theoretical achievement of physics of surface Andreev bound state (SABS) and odd-frequency pairing during this quarter century based on our research. Currently, topological superconductors with Majorana edge state have become a central issue in condensed matter physics. It is noted that Majorana edge state is nothing but a zero energy surface Andreev bound state (ZESABS) and the study of ZESABS has started in the context of the pairing symmetry of high Tc cuprate. We mention our obtained conductance formula of quasiparticle tunneling and Josephson current in unconventional superconductor junctions through ZESABS have already captured the essence of the charge transport profile via the Majorana fermion. We also mention that in the presence of ZESABS, odd-frequency pairing like spin-triplet s-wave or spin-singlet p-wave is hugely enhanced near the surface or interface. We further analyze the spectroscopy of the induced odd-frequency pairings by extending bulk-boundary correspondence in ZESABS. If we consider a semi-infinite superconductor with ZESABS, the induced odd-frequency pair amplitude can be expressed by a c-number defined in bulk, which we call spectral bulk-boundary correspondence. The odd-frequency pair amplitude is classified into singular part and regular one, the former part is proportional to $\sim 1/z$ (z is a complex frequency) reflecting the presence of ZESABS, and the latter one is proportional to $\sim z$ . The coefficient of the latter one diverges at the topological phase transition point. Analyzing the spectral behavior of the odd-frequency pairing is useful to understand the critical phenomena near topological transition points.