First order superconducting phase transition in chiral $p+ip$ system

TL;DR

This paper uses large-scale Monte Carlo simulations to demonstrate a first order phase transition in a chiral p-wave superconductor, highlighting the role of vortices and domain walls in the transition.

Contribution

It provides the first computational evidence of a first order transition in a chiral p-wave superconductor due to vortex and domain wall interactions.

Findings

First order phase transition observed in simulations.

Transition driven by vortex and domain wall interplay.

Results relevant for understanding chiral superconductor behavior.

Abstract

We use large-scale Monte Carlo computations to study the phase transitions of a two-component chiral p-wave superconductor in zero external magnetic field. We find a first order phase transition from the normal state to a chiral superconducting state, due to interplay between vortices and domain walls.