Triplet pairing due to spin-orbit-assisted electron-phonon coupling

TL;DR

This paper introduces a microscopic mechanism where spin-orbit-assisted electron-phonon interactions in complex crystals can lead to triplet pairing, shaping the p-wave superconducting order parameter.

Contribution

It demonstrates that spin-orbit-assisted electron-phonon coupling can induce triplet pairing and determines the tensor structure of the p-wave order parameter in specific crystal lattices.

Findings

Triplet pairing can be generated by spin-orbit-assisted electron-phonon coupling.

The mechanism predetermines the tensor structure of the p-wave order parameter.

Applicable to crystals with cubic or layered square lattices.

Abstract

We propose a microscopic mechanism for triplet pairing due to spin-orbit-assisted electron interaction with optical phonons in a crystal with a complex unit cell. Using two examples of electrons with symmetric Fermi surfaces in crystals with either a cubic or a layered square lattice, we show that spin-orbit-assisted electron-phonon coupling can, indeed, generate triplet pairing and that, in each case, it predetermines the tensor structure of a p-wave order parameter.