Spontaneous magnetization in unitary superconductors with time reversal symmetry breaking

TL;DR

This paper explores how spontaneous magnetization can occur in certain superconductors that break time-reversal symmetry through a specific pairing state, offering a new perspective on TRS-breaking phenomena.

Contribution

It introduces a theoretical explanation for spontaneous spin-polarization in TRS-breaking superconductors with unitary pairing, emphasizing the role of spin-orbit coupling and providing insights beyond existing theories.

Findings

Spontaneous spin-polarization can arise without external fields.

TRS-breaking states can form via a relative phase of ±π/2.

Experimental discussions include Zr₃Ir and CaPtAs.

Abstract

We report the study of spontaneous magnetization (i.e., spin-polarization) for time-reversal symmetry (TRS)-breaking superconductors with unitary pairing potentials, in the absence of external magnetic fields or Zeeman fields. Spin-singlet ($\Delta_s$) and spin-triplet ($\Delta_t$) pairings can coexist in superconductors whose crystal structure lacks inversion symmetry. The TRS can be spontaneously broken once a relative phase of $\pm\pi/2$ is developed, forming a TRS-breaking unitary pairing state ($\Delta_s\pm i\Delta_t$). We demonstrate that such unitary pairing could give rise to spontaneous spin-polarization with the help of spin-orbit coupling. Our result provides an alternative explanation to the TRS breaking, beyond the current understanding of such phenomena in the noncentrosymmetric superconductors. The experimental results of Zr$_3$Ir and CaPtAs are also discussed in the view of our theory.