Inhomogeneous superconductivity in the presence of time-reversal symmetry

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new inhomogeneous superconducting state induced by inhomogeneous pseudo magnetic fields in a corrugated honeycomb lattice, showing spatial modulation of the order parameter and analyzing its stability and experimental prospects.

Contribution

It proposes a novel inhomogeneous superconducting phase driven by pseudo magnetic fields in a honeycomb lattice, expanding understanding of superconductivity under non-uniform conditions.

Findings

Spatially modulated order parameter with half wavelength of corrugation

Modulation pattern depends on honeycomb lattice directions

Analysis of stability and potential experimental realization

Abstract

We propose a new type of non-uniform condensate state in the presence of time-reversal symmetry. The underlying platform of this state is a corrugated honeycomb lattice which exhibits an inhomogeneous pseudo magnetic field. Using the self-consistent tight-binding Bogoliubov-de Gennes formalism, we show that an s-wave pairing of chiral carriers in the presence of an inhomogeneous pseudo magnetic field results in a spatially modulated order parameter with the half wavelength of the corrugation. The manner of modulation depends on the fundamental directions of the honeycomb lattice, the zigzag and armchair directions. The stability of this inhomogeneous superconductivity is also analyzed and possible experimental realization is discussed.