京都大学 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(理学) / 甲第22989号 / 理博第4666号 / 新制||理||1669(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院理学研究科物理学・宇宙物理学専攻 / (主査)教授 石田 憲二, 教授 柳瀬 陽一, 教授 前野 悦輝 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Science / Kyoto University / DGAM

In this thesis, we study the unconventional superconductivity in Sr2RuO4 (SRO) and related systems. The superconducting state in SRO remains a puzzle after more than 28 years of study. Early experiments had pointed toward a topological non-trivial time-reversal symmetry breaking (TRSB) chiral p-wave order. This pairing candidate has attracted a large amount of attention, partly in relation to the possibility of topological quantum computation, and has stimulated studies on higher chirality superconducting systems. In the first part of this thesis, we study the spontaneous edge current in chiral d- and f-wave superconductors. We show that these currents, which vanish in the continuum limit at zero temperature, are generally non-vanishing but tiny, compared to the simplest chiral p-wave case. In the presence of strong surface roughness, the direction of the edge current in the chiral d-wave case can be reversed, compared with that of a specular ideal surface with specular scattering. However, it is shown that this current reversal is non-universal beyond the continuum limit. The chiral p-wave scenario in SRO is overturned by recent Knight shift measurements, highlighting the importance of exploring different pairing symmetries for SRO. Recently, $d_{x^2-y^2} \pm ig_{(x^2-y^2)xy}$, $s' \pm id_{xy}$ and mixed helical p-wave pairings have been proposed as order parameter candidates. However, the stability of these states, especially of the $d_{x^2-y^2} \pm ig$ pairing, remains unclear. In the second part of the thesis, we study the leading superconducting instabilities in SRO in the presence of sizable atomic spin-orbit coupling (SOC), non-local SOC, and non-local interactions. We find that it is difficult to stabilize chiral p-wave pairing in SRO models; this is because, among the triplet p-wave states, the atomic SOC favors helical states over the chiral state. The presence of both d- and g-wave pairings, including a $d_{x^2-y^2} \pm ig$ state, is found when the second nearest neighbor (in-plane) repulsions, together with orbital-anisotropy of the non-local interactions and/or the B2g channel non-local SOC are included. We further analyze the properties, such as nodal structures, in-plane field spin-susceptibility, and spontaneous edge current, of the realized $d_{x^2-y^2} \pm ig$ pairing and find that this state is more compatible with existing experimental measurements than the $s' \pm id_{xy}$ and the mixed helical p-wave proposals. / Dissertation / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

京都大学 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(理学) / 甲第23688号 / 理博第4778号 / 新制||理||1684(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院理学研究科物理学・宇宙物理学専攻 / (主査)教授 柳瀬 陽一, 教授 川上 則雄, 教授 松田 祐司 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Science / Kyoto University / DFAM

Cette thèse discute essentiellement sur le champ critique supérieur du supraconducteur ferromagnétique UCoGe. La conductivité thermique et d'autres méthodes expérimentales ont été utilisées pour confirmer les nombreux comportements particuliers de Hc2 dans UCoGe, précédemment observés dans des études de résistivité. Ces caractéristiques, y compris une anisotropie forte et des courbures anormales, ne peuvent pas être interprétées en termes de théories classiques pour Hc2. Au lieu de cela, un phénomène spécifique aux supraconducteurs ferromagnétiques - la dépendance en champ de l'interaction d'appariement doit être considéré. Nous montrons que cet effet peut être analysé de façon cohérente avec des propriétés de la phase normales et peut être aussi comparé quantitativement avec une théorie existante. Ceci conduit à une clarification nette pour le cas de H//c dans UCoGe, et explique en même temps le comportement différent de Hc2 dans UCoGe et URhGe. Ces résultats soutiennent fortement l'origine magnétique de la supraconductivité dans ces systèmes. Pour H//b, nous montrons que certaines observations expérimentales convergentes suggèrent un possible changement d'état supraconducteur induit par le champ magnétique transversal dans UCoGe. Indépendamment du reste de l'étude, le dernier chapitre présente quelques résultats expérimentaux sur la phase normale de UCoGe et sur l'autre système de fermions lourds UBe13. / This thesis mainly discuss the upper critical field of the ferromagnetic superconductor UCoGe.Thermal conductivity and other experimental methods have been used to confirm the numerous particularbehaviors of Hc2 in UCoGe, previously observed in resistivity studies. These features, including the stronganisotropy and the anomalous curvatures, cannot be interpreted in terms of classical theories for Hc2.Instead, a phenomenon specific to the ferromagnetic superconductors - the field dependence of the pairinginteraction, needs to be considered. We show that this effect can be consistently analyzed with normalphase properties, and is quantitatively compared with existing theory. This leads to a net clarificationfor the case of H//c in UCoGe, and at the same timeexplains the different behavior of Hc2 in UCoGe and URhGe. These resultsstrongly support the magnetic origin of superconductivity in these systems. For H//b, we showconvergent experimental observations that suggest a possible change of the superconducting state inducedby the transverse magnetic field in UCoGe. Independent from the rest of the study, the last chapter presents someexperimental results on the normal phase of UCoGe and on the other heavy-fermion system UBe13.

In this thesis we study the edge currents and the multi-band superconductivity in the unconventional superconductor Sr2RuO4. Numerous measurements have given strong support for a topologically non-trivial time-reversal symmetry breaking chiral p-wave state in this material. However, the spontaneous edge current expected for this order has eluded experimental detection. In this thesis, we present a general theoretical description of the edge currents in chiral superconductors. Our results elucidate the connection between the edge currents and the topological property of the chiral pairing. On this basis, we argue that superconducting gap anisotropy, combined with surface disorder, may provide an explanation for the absence of observable edge currents in Sr2RuO4. In addition, contrary to intuitive expectations, the integrated edge current is found to identically vanish for any non-p-wave chiral superconductor in the continuum limit-- a result which may be connected with the orbital angular momentum problem in chiral superfluids, such as the A phase of He-3. In lattice models, the integrated edge current may not vanish in non-p-wave superconductors but, in general, is substantially smaller compared to that of a simple chiral p-wave. In a separate study, we investigate the multi-band nature of the superconductivity in Sr2RuO4, via explicit microscopic calculations of the multi-band interactions. Our results indicate comparable pairing correlations on all of the bands and the existence of soft collective phase fluctuations--a Leggett mode. We also examine the possibility of alternative time-reversal symmetry breaking multi-band superconductivity which does not necessarily require chiral p-wave pairing. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

CeCu_2Si_2 was the first heavy-fermion compound showing signatures of bulk superconductivity (T_c = 0.5 K). Further observations have put in evidence the correlations between superconductivity, magnetic order, Kondo physics, and quantum critical phenomena. In spite of the interest generated, a systematic study of such correlations was hampered by strong sample dependences. Fortunately, the inherent complexity associated to the stoichiometric composition has been recently understood. The availability of single-crystals with well-defined properties has thus reignited the interest in CeCu_2Si_2 as a window to novel phenomena, such as unconventional superconductivity. The present work summarizes the results of my doctoral research. It exemplifies the importance not only of high-quality materials, but also of suitable experimental techniques. A first step in this project involved the design of angle-dependent techniques in the milli-kelvin range, namely: electrical resistivity and thermal conductivity. It comprised the development of a rotational stage, the construction of sample holders, and the implementation of controlling and measuring components. In the second part of the project, electrical- and thermal-transport measurements on CeCu_2Si_2 were performed. Power-law behavior below T_c in the thermal conductivity suggests the presence of lines of nodes in the gap function. Also, the non-vanishing extrapolated residual terms (k_00/T ) support the presence of a residual density of states. The nodes are broadened by potential scattering, which appears to be significant in CeCu_2Si_2. The scattering hinders the determination of the symmetry of the order parameter and might be responsible for the observed isotropic angle dependence of the thermal conductivity. In contrast, angle-dependent measurements of the upper critical field exhibit a four-folded behavior, which also points towards the presence of nodes. By comparing with a weak-coupling model including the effects of Pauli limiting and anisotropic Fermi velocity, the results point towards a d_xy-wave symmetry of the order parameter. Such results represent the first angle-dependent measurements supporting a d-wave symmetry in CeCu_2Si_2.

In this thesis, an extended periodic Anderson model with an additional local Coulomb repulsion U f c between localized f electrons and conduction electrons is investigated by use of the projector-based renormalization method (PRM). First, it is shown that the model in one dimension shows a valence transition, which becomes sharper, when the energy of the f level approaches the Fermi level. The transition becomes also enhanced, when the hybridization V between the localized and conduction electrons decreases, for the case that the total number of electrons is fixed. In the two-dimensional case, one finds a similar valence transition behavior. However, in the valence transition regime also a superconducting phase may occur. To investigate this phase, we start from an Hamiltonian which includes small gauge symmetry breaking fields. We derive renormalization equations, from which the superconducting pairing functions are self-consistently determined. Our analytical and numerical results show that d- wave superconductivity becomes dominant in the valence transition regime. This confirms the suggestion by Miyake that valence fluctuations may lead to superconductivity in the Ce based heavy-fermion systems under high pressure. / In dieser Arbeit wird mit Hilfe der projektiven Renormierungsmethode (PRM) ein erweitertes periodische Anderson Modell untersucht, das zusätzlich eine Coulomb-Abstoßung zwischen den lokalisierten f-Elektronen und den Leitungselektronen enthält. In einer Dimension zeigt das Modell einen Valenzübergang, wenn sich die Energie des f-Niveaus der Fermienergie nähert. Der Übergang wird ebenfalls schärfer, wenn bei festgehaltener Gesamtelektronenzahl die Hybridisierung V zwischen den lokalisierten und den Leitungselekronen abnimmt. In zwei Dimensionen findet man ein ähnliches Valenzübergangsverhalten. Allerdings kann zusätzlich eine supraleitende Phase im Valenzübergangsgebiet auftreten. Um die supraleitende Phase zu untersuchen, betrachten wir einen Hamiltonoperator mit kleinen zusätzlichen Feldern, die die Eichsymmetrie brechen. Wir leiten Renormierungsgleichungen her, aus denen sich die supraleitenden Paarfunktionen selbstkonsistent bestimmen lassen. Unsere analytischen und numerischen Resultate zeigen, dass im Valenzübergangsgebiet d-Wellen-Supraleitung dominiert. Dies bestätigt eine Vermutung von Miyake, dass Valenzfluktuationen in Ce-basierten Schwerfermionensystemen bei hohen Drücken zur Supraleitung führen können.

URhGe has garnered interest recently as one of the few known ferromagnetic superconductors. The superconductivity in this material appears to arise from magnetic fluctuations rather than phonons, and take a triplet form which is remarkably resistant to field. In this thesis, a number of measurements on the material are presented. Some probe the Fermiology, with strong evidence appearing for a model which as both light open sheets and heavy, small, closed pockets. The open sheets, associated with chains of real-space electron density running along the b axis, dominate the conductivity in most circumstances. Evidence for their existence arises from the general large and non-saturating magnetoresistance, and from the unusual observation of negative temperature coefficient of resistance at high fields. The closed pockets have provided a few Shubnikov-de Haas oscillations, but mostly they remain inferred from the high specific heat γ and their role in the magnetism. In order to better probe the superconductivity, a high precision low noise DC resistance measurement bridge was built using a SQUID. Along with conventional measurements, this provides evidence that the two pockets of superconductivity on the phase diagram are the same phase. The re-entrance an be understood simply as a result of magnetic field being a tuning parameter, but also suppressing bulk superconductivity through orbital limiting. The SQUID bridge allowed the detection of domain wall superconductivity linking up these two pockets. The SQUID bridge was also used to study the highly structured superconducting transition in BiPd. This material lacks inversion symmetry in its crystal structure, so is a good candidate for unusual forms of superconductivity. Here again non-bulk superconductivity is considered the most likely cause for the structure. Unusual and distinctive IV curves have been measured, and a simple model of inhomogeneous conductivity channels with different critical currents is proposed as an explanation.

In this thesis, the electronic properties in superconducting LiFeAs single crystal are investigated using low temperature scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy (STM/S) at various temperatures. For this purpose, the differential conductance (dI/dV) measured by STS which is directly proportional to the local density of states (LDOS) of the sample to the sub-atomic precision, is used together with the topography information. The dI/dV spectra within the ±1 V energy range reveal a characteristic feature at around -350 mV to -400 mV in stoichiometric LiFeAs. This feature seems to be a universal property among all the Fe-based high temperature superconductors, because it is also found in Fe0.965Se1.035 and NaFe0.975Co0.025As single crystals at the energy of -210 mV and -200 mV, respectively. The temperature dependent spectroscopy data averaged over a spatially fixed clean area of 2 nm × 2 nm are successfully executed between 5 K and 20 K. The two distinct superconducting phases with critical temperatures Tc = 16 K and 18 K are observed. In addition, the distance between the dip position outside the superconducting gap and the superconducting coherence peak in the spectra remains temperature independent which confirms that it is not connected to an antiferromagnetic (AFM) spin resonance. The temperature dependent spectra have been measured between 5 K and 61 K within the energy range of ±100 mV as well. The hump structure at 42 mV tends to disappear around 60 K from unknown origin. The temperature dependent quasiparticle interference (QPI) has been studied within the temperature range between 6.7 K and 25 K and analyzed by the Fourier transformation of the measured spectroscopic maps. The dispersion plots in momentum space as a function of temperature show an enhancement of QPI intensity (±5.5 mV) within the superconducting gap at the Fermi level at 6.7 K near q ~ 0. This is interpreted on the basis of Andreev bound state. In both polarities outside of this, a depletion of QPI intensity is noticed between 5.5 mV and around 9 mV. At positive energies, the QPI intensity becomes very rich above 9 mV. The size of the enhanced QPI intensity near the Fermi level, and the edge of the rich QPI intensity beyond 9 mV are found to behave like superconducting order parameter with rising of temperature. Furthermore, an energy mode peaked at around 14 mV appears in the integrated QPI intensity below superconducting Tc (6.7 K). This is consistent with the observed peak at 1st derivative of the dI/dV spectra. In both of these cases, such 14 mV peak is suppressed at normal state (25 K). This mode is therefore directly related to superconductivity in LiFeAs. The off-stoichiometric LiFeAs single crystal with superconducting Tc of 6.5 K has a 10 mV rigid band shift of the Fermi level towards electron doping. The absence of the rich QPI intensity between 9 mV and 17 mV is found compared to the stoichiometric LiFeAs, and hence the 14 mV mode is absent here. This brings us to conclude once more time that such 14 mV energy mode is relevant for superconductivity in LiFeAs.

Orientador: Eduardo Miranda / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Física Gleb Wataghin / Made available in DSpace on 2018-09-01T08:41:01Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Almeida_DalsonEloy_D.pdf: 2470369 bytes, checksum: 93d3b945f62f374cfd686217575dda95 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017 / Resumo: Nesta tese estudamos a relação entre antiferromagnetismo e supercondutividade em pnictídeos à base de ferro. Este estudo será feito através da análise de uma energia livre de Ginzburg-Landau de parâmetros de ordem acoplados que será derivada de um modelo microscópico. Em particular, estamos interessados em saber se a transição entre os estados ordenados é de primeira ordem ou se as duas ordens podem coexistir. Para o caso de supercondutividade convencional as duas fases puras nunca coexistem. Entretanto, quando a supercondutividade é não-convencional e a condição de nesting perfeito não é satisfeita, pode haver um regime intermediário de coexistência microscópica das duas ordens. Nesta nova fase termodinâmica, as simetrias de rotação no espaço de spins, de reversão temporal e U(1) são quebradas simultânea e localmente. Logo, os canais de supercondutividade singleto e tripleto se misturam quanticamente. Em outras palavras, uma componente tripleto secundária do estado supercondutor é gerada. Os diagramas de fases do sistema são apresentados e analisamos também como flutuações magnéticas, acima da temperatura de Néel pura, afetam a temperatura de transição tripleto. Investigamos também o efeito da magnetização alternada no efeito Josephson, i.e., na supercorrente que flui através de uma junção entre dois supercondutores na fase de coexistência. Por fim, mas não menos importante, estudamos o efeito de proximidade em uma interface entre um supercondutor e um antiferromagneto. Veremos que os pares de Cooper podem penetrar a região magnética e em consequência, uma componente tripleto é induzida próximo da interface / Abstract: In this thesis, we study the interplay between antiferromagnetism and superconductivity in iron pnictides. This study will be done analyzing a free energy of coupled order parameters which will be derived from a microscopic model. In particular, we are interested if the phase transition between the ordered states is first order or if the two orders can coexist. For the case of conventional superconductivity, the two phases cannot coexist. However, when superconductivity is unconventional and the perfect nesting condition is not satisfied, there can exist an intermediary state of microscopic coexistence of the two orders. In this new thermodynamic phase, spin rotation, time reversal and U(1) symmetries are simultaneously and locally broken. Therefore, the singlet and triplet superconductivity channels are quantum mechanically mixed. In other words, a secondary triplet component is generated. The phase diagrams of the system are presented and we also analyze the effect of magnetic fluctuations above the pure Néel temperature on the triplet temperature transition. We also investigate the effects of the staggered magnetization on the Josephson effect, i.e., on the supercurrent that flows through a junction of two superconductors in the coexistence phase. Last, but not least, we study the proximity effect at an interface between a superconductor and an antiferromagnet. We will see that the Cooper pairs can penetrate the magnetic region and consequently a triplet component is induced near the interface / Doutorado / Física / Doutor em Ciências / 140834/2013-3 / 2342/15-4 / CNPQ / CAPES / BEX