Magnetoelectric effects, helical phases, and FFLO phases in superconductors without inversion symmetry

TL;DR

This paper explores how broken inversion symmetry in superconductors leads to novel magnetic properties, phases, and affects the stability of FFLO states, highlighting the role of Lifshitz invariants and crystal symmetry.

Contribution

It provides a detailed analysis of magnetoelectric effects, helical phases, and the impact of inversion symmetry breaking on FFLO phases in superconductors.

Findings

Lifshitz invariants couple magnetic induction and supercurrent

Broken inversion symmetry induces anomalous magnetic properties

Inversion symmetry breaking influences FFLO phase stability

Abstract

This chapter emphasizes new magnetic properties that arise when inversion symmetry is broken in a superconductor. There are two aspects that will be covered in detail. The first topic encompasses physics related to superconducting magnetoelectric effects that arise from broken inversion symmetry. Broken inversion symmetry allow for Lifshitz invariants in the free energy which can be viewed as a coupling between the magnetic induction and the supercurrent. There are similarities between these invariants and the better known Dzyaloshinskii-Moyira interaction in magnetic systems. These Lifshitz invariants give rise to anomalous magnetic properties as well as new phases in the presence of magnetic fields. Here, we will describe the consequences of these Lifshitz invariants, provide estimates for the relative magnitudes of the novel effects, and discuss the important role that crystal symmetry plays in understanding this physics. Finally, we provide a discussion of the fate of Fulde-Ferrell-Larkin-Ovchinnikov (FFLO) phases in broken inversion superconductors. In particular, we show how broken inversion symmetry can have a profound effect on the stability, existence, and properties of FFLO phases.