Superconductivity and Local Inversion-Symmetry Breaking

TL;DR

This paper explores how local inversion-symmetry breaking in crystals influences superconductivity, leading to novel phenomena and potential topological phases, expanding understanding beyond globally symmetric systems.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of locally noncentrosymmetric crystals and discusses their impact on unconventional and topological superconductivity.

Findings

Local symmetry breaking affects superconducting pairing and properties.

Potential for realizing topological superconducting phases.

Phenomena not expected in globally centrosymmetric materials.

Abstract

Inversion and time reversal are essential symmetries for the structure of Cooper pairs in superconductors. The loss of one or both leads to modifications to this structure and can change the properties of the superconducting phases in profound ways. Lacking inversion, superconductivity in noncentrosymmetric materials has become an important topic, in particular, in the context of topological superconductivity as well as unusual magnetic and magneto-electric properties. Recently, crystal structures with local, but not global inversion-symmetry breaking have attracted attention, as superconductivity can exhibit phenomena not naively expected in centrosymmetric materials. After introducing the concept of locally noncentrosymmetric crystals and different material realizations, we discuss consequences of such local symmetry breaking on the classification, the expected and, in parts, already observed phenomenology of unconventional superconductivity, and possible topological superconducting phases.