Probing type-II Ising pairing using the spin-mixing parameter

TL;DR

This paper introduces a method using the spin-mixing parameter to identify type-II Ising pairing in centrosymmetric superconductors, combining first-principles calculations and group theory to analyze spin-orbit effects and magnetic field resilience.

Contribution

It provides a novel approach to determine the intrinsic spin-orbit field direction and pairing type in centrosymmetric superconductors through the spin-mixing parameter $b^2$, supported by first-principles and group theoretical analysis.

Findings

Calculated $b^2$ for Fermi pockets in transition metal dichalcogenides.

Demonstrated not all spin-orbit split doublets participate in Ising pairing.

Estimated upper in-plane critical magnetic field from spin-mixing analysis.

Abstract

The immunity of Ising superconductors to external magnetic fields originates from a spin locking of the paired electrons to an intrinsic Zeeman-like field. The spin-momentum locking in non-centrosymmetric crystalline materials leads to type-I Ising pairing in which the direction of the intrinsic field can be deduced from the spin expectation values. Conversely, in centrosymmetric crystals the electron spins locked to the orbitals can form Ising type-II pairs consisting of spin-orbit split doublets. Due to time-reversal symmetry, the doublets are spin degenerate, making it difficult to read the spin polarization of bands and the direction of spin-orbit fields. Here we present an efficient approach to determine the direction of the intrinsic field using the spin-mixing parameter $b^2$. Using first principles calculations based on the density functional theory, we study monolayer transition metal dichalcogenide superconductors PdTe$_2$, NbTe$_2$, and TiSe$_2$ with the 1T structure. We calculate $b^2$ for individual Fermi pockets and provide a general picture of possible Ising type-II pairing within the full Brillouin zone. In order to complement our first principles results, we use group theory to provide a detailed picture of spin-orbit coupling and spin mixing in the relevant bands forming Fermi pockets. We demonstrate that contrary to the anticipated effects of spin-orbit locking, not every spin-orbit split spin doublet actively participates in Ising pairing. Finally, by connecting the spin-mixing parameter $b^2$ with the intrinsic out-of-plane Zeeman field we estimate the upper in-plane critical magnetic field.