Edge modes in one-dimensional topological charge conserving spin-triplet superconductors: Exact results from Bethe ansatz

Abstract

Charge conserving spin singlet and spin triplet superconductors in one dimension are described by the U(1) symmetric Thirring Hamiltonian. We solve the model with open boundary conditions on a finite line segment by means of the Bethe ansatz. We show that the ground state displays a fourfold degeneracy when the bulk is in the spin triplet superconducting phase. This degeneracy corresponds to the existence of zero energy boundary bound states localized at the edges which may be interpreted, in the light of the previous semiclassical analysis due to Kesselman and Berg, as resulting from the existence of fractional spin ±1/4 localized at the two edges of the system.