Local condensation of charge-4⁢e superconductivity at a nematic domain wall

Journal Article · 24 April 2024 · Physical Review. B

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevb.109.134514 · OSTI ID:2478709

Hecker, Matthias  ^[1]; Fernandes, Rafael M. ^[1]

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1. University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN (United States)

In the fluctuation regime that precedes the onset of pairing in multi-component superconductors, such as nematic and chiral superconductors, the normal state is generally unstable towards the formation of charge-4e order – an exotic quantum state in which electrons form coherent quartets rather than Cooper pairs. However, charge-4e order is often suppressed by other competing composite orders, such as nematics. Importantly, the formation of nematic domains is unavoidable due to the long-range strains generated, leading to one-dimensional regions where the competing nematic order is suppressed. Here, we employ a real-space variational approach to demonstrate that, in such nematic domain walls, charge-4e order is locally condensed via a vestigial-order mechanism. Here, we explore the experimental manifestations of this effect and discuss materials in which it can be potentially observed.

• Research Organization: University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES); USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES). Materials Sciences & Engineering Division (MSE)
• Grant/Contract Number: SC0020045
• OSTI ID: 2478709
• Journal Information: Physical Review. B, Journal Name: Physical Review. B Journal Issue: 13 Vol. 109; ISSN 2469-9950
• Publisher: American Physical Society (APS)Copyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English