Odd parity and line nodes in nonsymmorphic superconductors.

Journal Article · Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2009 · Phys. Rev. B

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.80.100506· OSTI ID:965759

Micklitz, T; Norman, M R

Group theory arguments have been invoked to argue that odd-parity order parameters cannot have line nodes in the presence of spin-orbit coupling. In this Rapid Communication we show that these arguments do not hold for certain nonsymmorphic superconductors. Specifically, we demonstrate that when the underlying crystal has a twofold screw axis, half of the odd-parity representations vanish on the Brillouin-zone face perpendicular to this axis. Many unconventional superconductors have nonsymmorphic space groups, and we discuss implications for several materials, including UPt{sub 3}, UBe{sub 13}, Li{sub 2}Pt{sub 3}B, and Na{sub 4}Ir{sub 3}O{sub 8}.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Science (SC)
• DOE Contract Number: DE-AC02-06CH11357
• OSTI ID: 965759
• Report Number(s): ANL/MSD/JA-65289; TRN: US0903699
• Journal Information: Phys. Rev. B, Vol. 80, Issue 2009; ISSN 1098-0121
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: ENGLISH

Related Subjects

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS
COMMUNICATIONS
GROUP THEORY
ORDER PARAMETERS
PARITY
SPACE GROUPS
SUPERCONDUCTORS