Confinement-induced zero-bias peaks in conventional superconductor hybrids

Abstract

Majorana bound states in topological superconductors have been predicted to appear in the form of zero-bias conductance peaks of height $2e^{2}/h$, which represents one of the most studied signatures so far. Here, we show that quasi zero-energy states, similar to Majorana bound states, can naturally form in any superconducting hybrid junction due to confinement effects, without relation to topology. Remarkably, these topologically trivial quasi zero-energy states produce zero-bias conductance peaks, thus mimicking the most representative Majorana signature. Our results put forward confinement as an alternative mechanism to explain the ubiquitous presence of trivial zero-bias peaks and quasi zero-energy states in superconductor hybrids.