Fractional vortices on grain boundaries --- the case for broken time reversal symmetry in high temperature superconductors

TL;DR

This paper investigates how broken time reversal symmetry near grain boundaries in high-temperature d-wave superconductors can lead to the formation of fractional vortices, supported by analytical and numerical analysis.

Contribution

It introduces a Ginzburg-Landau theoretical framework demonstrating the emergence of fractional vortices due to broken time reversal symmetry at grain boundaries.

Findings

Fractional vortices can form on grain boundaries in d-wave superconductors.

Broken time reversal symmetry influences vortex structure.

Analytical and numerical methods confirm the existence of fractional vortices.

Abstract

We discuss the problem of broken time reversal symmetry near grain boundaries in a d-wave superconductor based on a Ginzburg-Landau theory. It is shown that such a state can lead to fractional vortices on the grain boundary. Both analytical and numerical results show the structure of this type of state.