Terahertz pulse-driven collective mode in the nematic superconducting state of Ba1−xKxFe2As2

We investigate the collective mode response of the iron-based superconductor Ba1−xKxFe2As2 using intense terahertz (THz) light. In the superconducting state a THz Kerr signal is observed and assigned to nonlinear THz coupling to superconducting degrees of freedom. The polarization dependence of the THz Kerr signal is remarkably sensitive to the coexistence of a nematic order. In the absence of nematic order the C4 symmetric polarization dependence of the THz Kerr signal is consistent with a coupling to the Higgs amplitude mode of the superconducting condensate. In the coexisting nematic and superconducting state the signal becomes purely nematic with a vanishing C4 symmetric component, signaling the emergence of a superconducting collective mode activated by nematicity.

Long range and highly tunable interaction between local spins coupled to a superconducting condensate

Interfacing magnetism with superconducting condensates is rapidly emerging as a viable route for the development of innovative quantum technologies. In this context, the development of rational design strategies to controllably tune the interaction between magnetic moments is crucial. Here we address this problem demonstrating the possibility of tuning the interaction between local spins coupled through a superconducting condensate with atomic scale precision. By using Cr atoms coupled to superconducting Nb, we use atomic manipulation techniques to precisely control the relative distance between local spins along distinct crystallographic directions while simultaneously sensing their coupling by scanning tunneling spectroscopy. Our results reveal the existence of highly anisotropic interactions, lasting up to very long distances, demonstrating the possibility of crossing a quantum phase transition by acting on the direction and interatomic distance between spins. The high tunability provides novel opportunities for the realization of topological superconductivity and the rational design of magneto-superconducting interfaces.

Evidence for even parity unconventional superconductivity in Sr2RuO4

Unambiguous identification of the superconducting order parameter symmetry in Sr2RuO4 has remained elusive for more than a quarter century. While a chiral p-wave ground state analogue to superfluid 3He-A was ruled out only very recently, other proposed triplet-pairing scenarios are still viable. Establishing the condensate magnetic susceptibility reveals a sharp distinction between even-parity (singlet) and odd-parity (triplet) pairing since the superconducting condensate is magnetically polarizable only in the latter case. Here field-dependent 17O Knight shift measurements, being sensitive to the spin polarization, are compared to previously reported specific heat measurements for the purpose of distinguishing the condensate contribution from that due to quasiparticles. We conclude that the shift results can be accounted for entirely by the expected field-induced quasiparticle response. An upper bound for the condensate magnetic response of <10% of the normal state susceptibility is sufficient to exclude all purely odd-parity candidates.

Optical Properties in The Hole-Doped Ca8.5Na1.5(Pt3As8)(Fe2As2)5 Single Crystal

For newly synthesized hole-doped Ca8.5Na1.5(Pt3As8)(Fe2As2)5 single crystals, we measured the infrared reflectivity spectrum and the magnetic field dependence of magnetoresistivity and Hall resistivity. The results of these two experiments in normal states are well described by two band models. In the normal state below 150 K, the optical conductivity spectrum shows a transfer of spectral weights from the mid-infrared region to the near-infrared region. Meanwhile, the magnetoresistance and Hall resistance show a significant decrease in carrier density at 150 K. These two phenomena are due to the conversion of itinerant electrons to heavy electrons by the strong correlation effect, Hund's coupling. In the superconducting state, the spectral weight in the low frequency region by the superconducting condensate is completely suppressed, which is well analyzed by the generalized Mattis-Bardeen (M-B) model with a two superconducting gap.

A simple superconductor quantum interference device for testing gravity

A simple tabletop setup based on a superconductor quantum interference device is proposed to test the gravitational interaction. A D-shaped superconducting loop has the straight segment immersed inside a massive sphere while the half-circle segment is wrapped around the sphere. The superconducting condensate within the straight arm of the loop thus bathes inside a gravitational simple harmonic oscillator potential while the condensate in the half-circle arm bathes in the constant gravitational potential around the sphere. The resulting phase difference at the Josephson junctions on both sides of the straight arm induces a sinusoidal electric current that has a frequency determined by the precise gravitational potential due to the massive sphere.

SPECTRUMS OF SUPERCONDUCTING STATES AND TRIPLET EFFECTS IN SUPERCONDUCTOR/FERROMAGNET MULTILAYERS

We report the results of studies of triplet superconductivity in structures with alternating superconductor and ferromagnet layers, as a part of the general problem of the properties of the spectra of superconductivity states depending on the magnetic state of the multilayer structure. Ferromagnetic layers are assumed monodomain and possessing inplane magnetic moments. In numerical examples, we used the parameters of the well-studied Nb/PdNi system. The critical temperatures and distributions of singlet and triplet currents depending on the relative orientation of the magnetic moments of the ferromagnetic layers are calculated in the formalism of the Usadel equations for 5- and 3-layer irregular structures. The following results are obtained. (1) The channeling effect of triplet pairs by a narrow central layer of a superconductor with complete suppression of the singlet component in it was confirmed. (2) The “0–1”-transition between the phases of a superconducting condensate of opposite symmetry induced by the transport current is predicted. (3) The effect of a double crossover of states on the dependence of the critical temperature, Tc, versus the angle θ between the magnetic moments of the ferromagnetic layers adjacent to the central layer of the superconductor in a 3-layer structure is predicted. The crossovers are reflected by a sharp turns in the Tc (θ) curve, while the infinitely small asymmetry of the structure eliminates the non-analyticity of this characteristic.

Gravitation at the Josephson Junction

A geometric potential from the kinetic term of a constrained to a curved hyperplane of space-time quantum superconducting condensate is derived. An energy conservation relation involving the geometric field at every material point in the superconductor is demonstrated. At a Josephson junction the energy conservation relation implies the possibility of transforming electric energy into geometric field energy, that is, curvature of space-time. Experimental procedures to verify that the Josephson junction can act as a voltage-to-curvature converter are discussed.