Topological Nature of High Temperature Superconductivity

TL;DR

This paper proposes a topological effective field theory that unifies the understanding of high-temperature superconductivity (HTS), revealing the pseudogap as a phase with magnetic monopole condensates and explaining the universal phase diagram features.

Contribution

It introduces a topological framework that captures all universal features of HTS, connecting the pseudogap phase with magnetic monopole condensates and phase transitions.

Findings

The pseudogap state is a phase with a charged magnetic monopole condensate.

The HTS phase diagram features a tricritical point unifying different phase transitions.

The topological mechanism explains the competition between monopole and Cooper pair condensates.

Abstract

The key to unraveling the nature of high-temperature superconductivity (HTS) lies in resolving the enigma of the pseudogap state. The pseudogap state in the underdoped region is a distinct thermodynamic phase characterized by nematicity, temperature-quadratic resistive behavior, and magnetoelectric effects. Till present, a general description of the observed universal features of the pseudogap phase and their connection with HTS was lacking. The proposed work constructs a unifying effective field theory capturing all universal characteristics of HTS materials and explaining the observed phase diagram. The pseudogap state is established to be a phase where a charged magnetic monopole condensate confines Cooper pairs to form an oblique version of a superinsulator. The HTS phase diagram is dominated by a tricritical point (TCP) at which the first order transition between a fundamental Cooper pair condensate and a charged magnetic monopole condensate merges with the continuous superconductor-normal metal and superconductor-pseudogap state phase transitions. The universality of the HTS phase diagram reflects a unique topological mechanism of competition between the magnetic monopole condensate, inherent to antiferromagnetic-order-induced Mott insulators and the Cooper pair condensate. The obtained results establish the topological nature of the HTS and provide a platform for devising materials with the enhanced superconducting transition temperature.