Magnetic analogue of the LOFF phase in Sr3Ru2O7

TL;DR

This paper proposes that the anomalous phase in Sr3Ru2O7 is a magnetic analogue of the FFLO state, characterized by inhomogeneous magnetization, supported by a microscopic Stoner theory and Ginzburg-Landau analysis.

Contribution

It introduces a microscopic theory and Ginzburg-Landau model to explain the inhomogeneous magnetic phase in Sr3Ru2O7 as an analogue of the FFLO state.

Findings

Reproduces the phase diagram of Sr3Ru2O7

Predicts spatially inhomogeneous transverse magnetization

Explains anisotropic resistivity and symmetry breaking

Abstract

The phase diagram of Sr3Ru2O7 contains a metamagnetic transition that bifurcates to enclose an anomalous phase with intriguing properties - a large resistivity with anisotropy that breaks the crystal-lattice symmetry. We propose that this is a magnetic analogue of the spatially inhomogeneous superconducting Fulde-Ferrell-Larkin-Ovchinnikov state. Based on a microscopic theory of Stoner magnetism we derive a Ginzburg-Landau expansion where the magnetisation transverse to the applied field can become spatially inhomogeneous. We show that this reproduces the observed phase diagram of Sr3Ru2O7.