Symmetry protected line nodes in non-symmorphic magnetic space groups: Applications to UCoGe and UPd$_2$Al$_3$

TL;DR

This paper classifies gap functions in magnetic superconductors within non-symmorphic space groups, revealing the presence of symmetry-protected line nodes and Weyl points in materials like UCoGe and UPd$_2$Al$_3$, which are candidates for unconventional superconductivity.

Contribution

It provides a group-theoretical classification of gap functions in magnetic superconductors, identifying symmetry-protected line nodes and Weyl points specific to non-symmorphic magnetic space groups.

Findings

UCoGe-type ferromagnetic superconductors have horizontal line nodes at specific planes.

UPd$_2$Al$_3$-type antiferromagnetic superconductors have horizontal line nodes at zone boundaries.

Conventional s-wave superconductivity is forbidden in certain antiferromagnetic superconductors.

Abstract

We present the group-thoretical classification of gap functions in superconductors coexisting with some magnetic order in non-symmorphic magnetic space groups. Based on the weak-coupling BCS theory, we show that UCoGe-type ferromagnetic superconductors must have horizontal line nodes on either $k_z=0$ or $\pm\pi/c$ plane. Moreover, it is likely that additional Weyl point nodes exist at the axial point. On the other hand, in UPd$_2$Al$_3$-type antiferromagnetic superconductors, gap functions with $A_g$ symmetry possess horizontal line nodes in antiferromagnetic Brillouin zone boundary perpendicular to $c$-axis. In other words, the conventional fully-gapped $s$-wave superconductivity is forbidden in this type of antiferromagnetic superconductors, irrelevant to the pairing mechanism, as long as the Fermi surface crosses a zone boundary. UCoGe and UPd$_2$Al$_3$ are candidates for unconventional superconductors possessing hidden symmetry-protected line nodes, peculiar to non-symmorphic magnetic space groups.