Topologically Enabled Superconductivity

Abstract

Majorana zero modes are a much sought-after consequence of one-dimensional topological superconductivity. Here, we show that, in turn, zero modes accompanying dynamical instanton events strongly enhance---in some cases even enable---superconductivity. We find that the dynamics of a one-dimensional topological triplet superconductor is governed by a $\ensuremath{\theta}$ term in the action. For isotropic triplets, this term enables algebraic charge-$2e$ superconductivity, which is destroyed by fluctuations in nontopological superconductors. For anisotropic triplets, zero modes suppress quantum phase slips and stabilize superconductivity over a large region of the phase diagram. We present predictions of correlation functions and thermodynamics for states of topologically enhanced superconductivity.