Emblems of pair density waves: dual identity of topological defects and their transport signatures

TL;DR

This paper explores the unique topological defects in pair density waves (PDWs), revealing their dual role as vortices and crystalline defects, and how their dynamics influence transport properties in strongly correlated systems.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of topological defects in pure PDWs, highlighting their dual identity and proposing experimental signatures through transport measurements.

Findings

Resistive switching can be caused by mobile topological defects.

Small magnetic fields can suppress defect motion, restoring zero resistance.

The Hall response is influenced by the defect's Burgers vector orientation.

Abstract

The pair density wave (PDW) exemplifies intertwined orders in strongly correlated systems. A recent discovery of superconductivity in a quarter-metal state offers the first experimental system where a pure PDW without uniform superconductivity is suspected, offering a unique opportunity to examine the consequences of intertwined orders. A pure two-dimensional PDW supports an unusual fractional excitation as its topological defect (TD). A TD simultaneously winds the phase of the Cooper pair and distorts the amplitude modulation -- a dual role reflecting its intertwined character. As a vortex, a TD carries fractional vorticity of $\frac{1}{3} h/2e$, whose movement would cause resistance. As a crystalline defect, a TD can be sourced by charge disorder in the system. We show that experimentally observed resistive switching can originate from mobile TDs, while a small magnetic field will restore zero resistance by blocking their motion. The resulting resistive state exhibits extreme anisotropy and a Hall response, with the Hall angle determined by the angle between the current and the TD's Burgers vector. These features will serve as confirmation of the dual identity of topological defects as emblems of PDW order.