Superconductivity from Valley Fluctuations and Approximate SO(4) Symmetry in a Weak Coupling Theory of Twisted Bilayer Graphene

TL;DR

This paper presents a weak coupling theory for superconductivity in twisted bilayer graphene, emphasizing valley fluctuations and an approximate SO(4) symmetry that leads to near-degenerate singlet and triplet pairings.

Contribution

It introduces a novel weak coupling framework linking valley fluctuations to superconductivity and explores the role of approximate SO(4) symmetry in pairing degeneracy.

Findings

Valley fluctuations mediate dominant inter-valley pairing.

Near degeneracy of spin-singlet and triplet pairings due to SO(4) symmetry.

Possible emergence of inter-valley coherence wave order at specific fillings.

Abstract

We develop a weak coupling approach to superconductivity in twisted bilayer graphene, starting from the Fermi liquid regime. A key observation is that near half filling, the fermiology consists of well nested Fermi pockets derived from opposite valleys, leading to enhanced valley fluctuation, which in turn can mediate superconductivity. This scenario is studied within the random phase approximation. We find that inter-valley electron pairing with either chiral ($d+i d$ mixed with $p-i p$) or helical form factor is the dominant instability. An approximate SO(4) spin-valley symmetry implies a near degeneracy of spin-singlet and triplet pairing. On increasing interactions, commensurate inter-valley coherence wave (IVCW) order can arise, with simultaneous condensation at the three M points in the Brillouin Zone, and a $2\times2$ pattern in real space. In simple treatments though, this leads to a full gap at fillings $\pm (1/2+1/8)$, slightly away from half-filling. An SO(4) symmetry breaking "anti-Hunds" coupling favors the spin-singlet order both for the IVCW and the superconductor, consistent with observations. Mott insulators derived from phase fluctuating superconductors are also discussed, which exhibit both symmetry protected and intrinsic topological orders.