Symmetry constraints on superconductivity in twisted bilayer graphene: Fractional vortices, $4e$ condensates or non-unitary pairing

TL;DR

This paper derives symmetry-based constraints on superconductivity in twisted bilayer graphene, revealing possible exotic pairing states such as non-unitary pairing, fractional vortices, or charge 4e condensates, independent of the pairing mechanism.

Contribution

It provides a symmetry-based classification of possible superconducting states in TBG, including novel states like fractional vortices and charge 4e condensates, without relying on specific microscopic models.

Findings

Superconductivity in TBG must break certain symmetries.

Fractional vortices with flux h/4e can occur in unitary pairing.

Charge 4e superconductivity is a possible exotic state.

Abstract

When two graphene sheets are twisted relative to each other by a small angle, enhanced correlations lead to superconductivity whose origin remains under debate. Here, we derive some general constraints on superconductivity in twisted bilayer graphene (TBG), independent of its underlying mechanism. Neglecting weak coupling between valleys, the global symmetry group of TBG consists of independent spin rotations in each valley in addition to valley charge rotations, $ {\rm SU}(2) \times {\rm SU}(2) \times {\rm U}_V(1) $. This symmetry is further enhanced to a full ${\rm SU}(4)$ in the idealized chiral limit. In both cases, we show that any charge $2e$ pairing must break the global symmetry. Additionally, if the pairing is unitary the resulting superconductor admits fractional vortices. This leads to the following general statement: Any superconducting condensate in either symmetry class has to satisfy one of three possibilities: (i) the superconducting pairing is non-unitary, (ii) the superconducting condensate has charge $2e$ but admits at least half quantum vortices which carry a flux of $h/4e$, or (iii) the superconducting condensate has charge $2me$, $m>1$, with vortices carrying $h/2me$ flux. The latter possibility can be realized by a symmetric charge $4e$ superconductor ($m=2$). Non-unitary pairing (i) is expected in TBG for superconductors observed in the vicinity of flavor polarized states. On the other hand, in the absence of flavor polarization, e.g. in the vicinity of charge neutrality, one of the two exotic possibilities (ii) and (iii) is expected. We sketch how all three scenarios can be realized in different limits within a strong coupling theory of superconductivity based on skyrmions. Finally we discuss the effect of symmetry lowering anisotropies and experimental implications of these scenarios.