Nonuniform superconducting state in an antiferromagnetic superconductor

Lev Bulaevskii, Ronivon Eneias, and Alvaro Ferraz
Phys. Rev. B 93, 014501 – Published 6 January 2016

Abstract

We consider the superconducting state in a clean crystal with antiferromagnetic (AF) structure of localized magnetic moments taking into account the exchange interaction between magnetic moments and conduction electrons. We assume that the localized moments order at the Neel temperature TN due to the RKKY interaction predominantly. In such crystals, the periodic exchange field acting on conducting electrons results in the formation of an insulating gap on the Fermi surface for electrons moving in directions that depend on the orientation of the wave vector of AF ordering. We assume a scenario in which the Cooper pairing occurs in the open parts of the Fermi surface at the temperature Tc. We show that at high amplitudes of exchange field he>Tc/μB, the structure of superconducting state just below the temperature Tc depends on the relation between Tc and TN. At low ratio Tc/TN, a nonuniform superconducting state, like the Fulde-Farrell-Larkin-Ovchinnikov high-field phase, should exist, while at bigger ratio superconducting order parameter is uniform. The nonuniform structure of superconducting state may be probed by tunneling measurements.

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  • Received 2 June 2015
  • Revised 26 October 2015

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.93.014501

©2016 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Lev Bulaevskii1,2, Ronivon Eneias1,3, and Alvaro Ferraz1,3

  • 1International Institute of Physics, UFRN, Natal, Brazil
  • 2Department of Physics, University of Oregon, Eugene, USA
  • 3Department of Theoretical and Experimental Physics, UFRN, Natal, Brazil

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Vol. 93, Iss. 1 — 1 January 2016

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