Symmetry-protected line nodes and Majorana flat bands in nodal crystalline superconductors

Abstract

Line nodes in the superconducting gap are known to be a source of Majorana flat bands (MFBs) in time-reversal-invariant superconductors (SCs). Here, we extend this relation to all symmetry-protected line nodes where an additional constraint arising from a symmetry of the crystal destabilizes or hides the existence of MFBs. By establishing a one-to-one correspondence between group theoretical and topological classifications, we are able to classify the possible line-node-induced MFBs, including cases with (magnetic) non-symmorphic space groups. Our theoretical analysis reveals a new type of MFB, i.e., MFBs in antiferromagnetic SCs.