Multi-orbital Fulde-Ferrell-Larkin-Ovchinnikov State in SrTiO_3 Heterostructures

TL;DR

This paper investigates exotic superconducting states, specifically orbital-dependent FFLO states, in SrTiO3 heterostructures using a three-orbital model, revealing novel anisotropic behaviors influenced by magnetic field orientation and carrier density.

Contribution

It introduces the first detailed analysis of orbital-dependent FFLO states in SrTiO3 heterostructures, highlighting the role of orbital degrees of freedom and magnetic field orientation.

Findings

Orbital-dependent FFLO states are stabilized in SrTiO3 heterostructures.

The in-plane anisotropy of the critical magnetic field is linked to orbital degrees of freedom.

The FFLO state exhibits a strong dependence on magnetic field angle and carrier density.

Abstract

We study exotic superconducting states in SrTiO$_3$ heterostructures on the basis of the three-orbital model, which reproduces the band structure of two-dimensional electron gases. We show various Fulde-Ferrell-Larkin-Ovchinnikov (FFLO) states induced by the broken inversion symmetry and orbital degree of freedom. In particular, a novel orbital-dependent FFLO state is stabilized in a magnetic field along the [110]-axis. The field angle dependence of the FFLO state is clarified on the basis of the spin and orbital texture in the momentum space. It is shown that the orbital degree of freedom in Cooper pairs gives rise to in-plane anisotropy of the critical magnetic field. The carrier density dependence of the superconducting state is also discussed.