Unsplit superconducting and time reversal symmetry breaking transitions in Sr$_2$RuO$_4$ under hydrostatic pressure and disorder

TL;DR

This study investigates the nature of time reversal symmetry breaking in Sr$_2$RuO$_4$ superconductors under pressure and disorder, providing evidence for a symmetry-protected $d_{xz} \u00b1 id_{yz}$ order parameter.

Contribution

It offers experimental evidence supporting a symmetry-protected degeneracy of the order parameter in Sr$_2$RuO$_4$, distinguishing it from accidental degeneracy scenarios.

Findings

$T_{TRSB}$ tracks $T_c$ under pressure and disorder.

Supports $d_{xz} \u00b1 id_{yz}$ order parameter.

Provides insight into the symmetry of the superconducting state.

Abstract

There is considerable evidence that the superconducting state of Sr$_2$RuO$_4$ breaks time reversal symmetry. In the experiments showing time reversal symmetry breaking its onset temperature, $T_\text{TRSB}$, is generally found to match the critical temperature, $T_\text{c}$, within resolution. In combination with evidence for even parity, this result has led to consideration of a $d_{xz} \pm id_{yz}$ order parameter. The degeneracy of the two components of this order parameter is protected by symmetry, yielding $T_\text{TRSB} = T_\text{c}$, but it has a hard-to-explain horizontal line node at $k_z=0$. Therefore, $s \pm id$ and $d \pm ig$ order parameters are also under consideration. These avoid the horizontal line node, but require tuning to obtain $T_\text{TRSB} \approx T_\text{c}$. To obtain evidence distinguishing these two possible scenarios (of symmetry-protected versus accidental degeneracy), we employ zero-field muon spin rotation/relaxation to study pure Sr$_2$RuO$_4$ under hydrostatic pressure, and Sr$_{1.98}$La$_{0.02}$RuO$_4$ at zero pressure. Both hydrostatic pressure and La substitution alter $T_\text{c}$ without lifting the tetragonal lattice symmetry, so if the degeneracy is symmetry-protected $T_\text{TRSB}$ should track changes in $T_\text{c}$, while if it is accidental, these transition temperatures should generally separate. We observe $T_\text{TRSB}$ to track $T_\text{c}$, supporting the hypothesis of $d_{xz} \pm id_{yz}$ order.