Evidence for eight node mixed-symmetry superconductivity in a correlated organic metal

TL;DR

This study combines theory and experiments to reveal an eight-node mixed-symmetry superconducting gap in a quasi-two-dimensional organic superconductor, supported by tunneling spectroscopy evidence.

Contribution

It provides the first combined theoretical and experimental evidence for an eight-node mixed-symmetry superconducting state in this organic material.

Findings

Identification of a three-peak structure in the density of states

Support for a strongly anisotropic superconducting gap with eight nodes

Experimental validation via tunneling spectroscopy

Abstract

We report a combined theoretical and experimental investigation of the superconducting state in the quasi-two-dimensional organic superconductor $\kappa$-(ET)$_2$Cu[N(CN)$_2$]Br. Applying spin-fluctuation theory to a low-energy material-specific Hamiltonian derived from ab initio density functional theory we calculate the quasiparticle density of states in the superconducting state. We find a distinct three-peak structure that results from a strongly anisotropic mixed-symmetry superconducting gap with eight nodes and twofold rotational symmetry. This theoretical prediction is supported by low-temperature scanning tunneling spectroscopy on in situ cleaved single crystals of $\kappa$-(ET)$_2$Cu[N(CN)$_2$]Br with the tunneling direction parallel to the layered structure.