Spontaneous Josephson $\pi$ Junctions with Topological Superconductors

Abstract

We study a junction between two time-reversal-invariant topological superconductors and show this system goes through a series of multiple transitions between a $0$-junction phase, where the free energy has its minimum for a superconducting phase difference of zero, and a $\pi$-junction phase, where the free energy has its minimum for a superconducting phase difference of $\pi$. These transitions occur in the absence of Coulomb blockade or magnetic impurities. Rather, they are driven by the spin orbit coupling in the junction, and can be probed, for example, by measuring the tunneling density of states or the critical current as a function of the junction's length or its Fermi velocity.