Unveiling the superconducting scenario in multiphase superconductor CeRh$_2$As$_2$ from space-group symmetry analysis and DFT calculations

TL;DR

This paper investigates the symmetry and pairing mechanisms in the superconductor CeRh$_2$As$_2$, revealing possible coexistence of different triplet states and the influence of non-symmorphic space group structure on pairing symmetry.

Contribution

It provides a detailed symmetry analysis and DFT calculations showing how different pairing states can coexist and transition without changing spin multiplicity in CeRh$_2$As$_2$.

Findings

Two distinct triplet pairing states are identified as possibly corresponding to different field phases.

Non-symmorphic structure allows for even and odd pairing at the Brillouin zone boundary.

DFT calculations show Ce 4f electrons contribute to states at the Fermi level.

Abstract

Despite of the low transition temperature, the recently identified superconductor CeRh$_2$As$_2$ has garnered significant interest due to its unique symmetry and magnetic characteristics, particularly the existence of two superconducting (SC) phases under a magnetic field, one of which exceeds the Pauli-Clogston limit. The field-induced transition from a low-field even-parity state to a high-field odd-parity state is usually described as a singlet-triplet transition. However, it is uncommon for a single compound to exhibit both triplet and singlet SC scenarios. The aim of this paper is to investigate the possibilities of symmetry changes in the SC state without a change of spin multiplicity. To this end, we construct the SC order parameter based on Anderson pair functions, considering the phase winding within the symmetry of the point group $D_{4h}$ and the magnetic group $4/mm^{\prime }m^{\prime}$. It was found that two triplets with opposite-spin and equal-spin pairing states of symmetry $E_{1u}^{\prime +}$, are nodeless but exhibit distinct internal structures and may be associated with low-and high-field phases. Additionally, nontrivial Cooper pairing resulting from the non-symmorphic structure of the space group was examined, particularly in the case where the Fermi surface intersects with the boundaries of a Brillouin zone (BZ). It was determined that at the X point, triplet pairs are even, while singlet pairs can be either even or odd. Furthermore, at the X point, pair density waves that alter phase by $\pi$ at the atomic centers linked by lattice translations are also feasible. To explore the possibility of such scenarios, precise DFT calculations of the band structure were performed, revealing the contribution of Ce $4f$ electrons to the states at the Fermi level. Thus, the even-odd transition can take place in a triplet scenario at symmetry points of a BZ.