Topological metals and finite-momentum superconductors

TL;DR

This paper explores how Zeeman fields induce topological phase transitions and abrupt changes in Cooper pair momentum in 2D spin-orbit coupled metals and superconductors, revealing diverse phase diagrams influenced by spin-orbit strength.

Contribution

It demonstrates the interplay between Zeeman fields and spin-orbit coupling in inducing topological and first-order phase transitions in 2D superconductors.

Findings

Zeeman field induces topological transition in 2D metals

First-order phase transition with discontinuous Cooper pair momentum

Different phase diagrams depending on spin-orbit coupling strength

Abstract

We show that Zeeman field can induce a topological transition in two-dimensional spin-orbit coupled metals, and concomitantly, a first-order phase transition in the superconducting state involving a discontinuous change of Cooper pair momentum. Depending on the spin-orbit coupling strength, we find different phase diagrams of 2D superconductors under in-plane magnetic field.