Ferromagnetic fluctuation and possible triplet superconductivity in Na_xCoO_2*yH_2O: Fluctuation-exchange study of multi-orbital Hubbard model

TL;DR

This study uses a multi-orbital Hubbard model and FLEX approximation to explore spin fluctuations and triplet superconductivity in Na_xCoO_2*yH_2O, highlighting the role of Hund's-rule coupling and orbital degrees of freedom.

Contribution

It demonstrates that Hund's-rule coupling induces ferromagnetic fluctuations leading to triplet pairing, emphasizing the importance of orbital interactions in this superconductor.

Findings

Ferromagnetic spin fluctuations are caused by Hund's-rule coupling.

Triplet f-wave and p-wave pairings are favored by FM fluctuations.

Na_xCoO_2*yH_2O may be the first triplet superconductor with significant orbital effects.

Abstract

Spin and charge fluctuations and superconductivity in a recently discovered superconductor Na_xCoO_2*yH_2O are studied based on a multi-orbital Hubbard model. Tight-binding parameters are determined to reproduce the LDA band dispersions with the Fermi surface, which consist of a large cylindrical one around the Gamma-point and six hole pockets near the K-points. By applying the fluctuation-exchange (FLEX) approximation, we show that the Hund's-rule coupling between the Co t2g orbitals causes ferromagnetic (FM) spin fluctuation. Triplet f_{y(y^2-3x^2)}-wave and p-wave pairings are favored by this FM fluctuation on the hole-pocket band. We propose that, in Na_xCoO_2*yH_2O, the Co t2g orbitals and inter-orbital Hund's-rule coupling play important roles on the triplet pairing, and this compound can be a first example of the triplet superconductor in which the orbital degrees of freedom play substantial roles.