Quantitative theory of triplet pairing in the unconventional superconductor LaNiGa2
Ghosh, Sudeep Kumar (University of Kent)
Csire, Gabor (Institut Català de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia)
Whittlesea, Philip (University of Kent)
Annett, James (University of Bristol)
Gradhand, Martin (University of Bristol)
Újfalussy, Balázs (Hungarian Academy of Sciences)
Quintanilla, Jorge (University of Kent)

Date:	2020
Abstract:	The exceptionally low-symmetry crystal structures of the time-reversal symmetry-breaking superconductors LaNiC2 and LaNiGa2 lead to an internally antisymmetric nonunitary triplet state as the only possibility compatible with experiments. We argue that this state has a distinct signature: A double-peak structure in the density of states (DOS) which resolves in the spin channel in a particular way. We construct a detailed model of LaNiGa2 capturing its electronic band structure and magnetic properties ab initio. The pairing mechanism is described via a single adjustable parameter. The latter is fixed by the critical temperature Tc allowing parameter-free predictions. We compute the electronic specific heat and find excellent agreement with experiment. The size of the ordered moment in the superconducting state is compatible with zero-field muon spin relaxation experiments and the predicted spin-resolved DOS suggests the spin splitting is within the reach of present experimental technology.
Grants:	European Commission 754510
Rights:	Tots els drets reservats.
Language:	Anglès
Document:	Article ; recerca ; Versió sotmesa a revisió
Subject:	Adjustable parameters ; Critical temperatures ; Electronic band structure ; Electronic specific heat ; Low symmetry crystals ; Superconducting state ; Time reversal symmetries ; Unconventional superconductors
Published in:	Physical review B, Vol. 101, Issue 10 (March 2020) , art. 100506, ISSN 2469-9969

DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.101.100506

Preprint 8 p, 572.4 KB

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Research literature > UAB research groups literature > Research Centres and Groups (research output) > Experimental sciences > Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2)
Articles > Research articles
Articles > Published articles