Correlation-enhanced odd-parity inter-orbital singlet pairing in the iron-pnictide superconductor LiFeAs

TL;DR

This study uses advanced theoretical methods to reveal that in LiFeAs, inter-orbital singlet pairing with odd parity significantly influences the superconducting gap structure, aligning with experimental observations.

Contribution

It demonstrates the emergence of inter-orbital odd-parity pairing components in LiFeAs due to spin fluctuations and Hund's coupling, expanding understanding of pairing mechanisms in iron-based superconductors.

Findings

Inter-orbital $d_{xy}-d_{xz(yz)}$ pairing is significant in LiFeAs.

Odd-parity pairing components reduce the gap magnitude at electron pockets.

Results are consistent with experimental gap measurements.

Abstract

The rich variety of iron-based superconductors and their complex electronic structure lead to a wide range of possibilities for gap symmetry and pairing components. Here we solve in the 2-Fe Brillouin zone the full frequency-dependent linearized Eliashberg equations for LiFeAs with spin-fluctuation mediated pairing interactions. The magnetic excitations are calculated with the random phase approximation on a correlated electronic structure obtained with density functional theory and dynamical mean field theory. Correlations induce long-lived local moments with orbital-dependent dynamics. The interaction between electrons through Hund's coupling promotes inter-orbital magnetic susceptibility. As a consequence, the leading pairing channel, conventional $s^{+-}$, acquires sizeable inter-orbital $d_{xy}-d_{xz(yz)}$ singlet pairing with odd parity under glide-plane symmetry. These components reduce the superconducting gap magnitude induced by the intra-orbital components of the gap function at the electron pockets intersection where the Fe-d $t_{2g}$ orbitals strongly mix. This in turn makes the results consistent with available experiments on the angular dependence of the gaps observed on the different Fermi surfaces.