Possibility of spin fluctuation mediated $d+id'$ pairing in a doped band insulator $\beta$-MNCl (M=Hf,Zr) superconductors

TL;DR

This study explores the potential for spin fluctuation mediated $d+id'$-wave superconductivity in doped $eta$-MNCl, proposing a two-band honeycomb lattice model that aligns with experimental observations and suggests high $T_c$ due to spin fluctuations.

Contribution

The paper introduces a two-band honeycomb lattice model as a better representation for $eta$-MNCl superconductors and proposes spin fluctuation mediated $d+id'$ pairing as a viable mechanism.

Findings

Two-band model better explains superconductivity in $eta$-MNCl.

Spin fluctuation mediated $d+id'$-wave pairing is possible.

Doping increases gap anisotropy and interlayer hopping suppresses $T_c$.

Abstract

We study two types of models for the superconducting layered nitride $\beta$-MNCl(M=Hf,Zr); a single band model on a triangular lattice, and a two band model on a honeycomb lattice. We find that the former model does not suffice as an effecitive model, while the latter one can be a good candidate. We propose from the study on the two band model a possibility of spin fluctuation mediated $d+id'$-wave superconductivity in the doped $\beta$-MNCl. We show that the relatively high $T_c$ obtained in the doped band insulator is a characteristic feature of the spin fluctuation mediated superconductivity on a honeycomb lattice. We also find that the gap anisotropy on the Fermi surface strongly increases upon increasing the doping concentration, and the inter layer hopping suppresses superconductivity. These results are in qualitative agreement with the experimental findings.