Hidden Staggered Superconducting Order in V2Se2O-Family Altermagnets

Abstract

$η$ pairing describes a staggered superconducting condensate whose order parameter changes sign between neighboring unit cells while maintaining a uniform magnitude. Nearly four decades after its theoretical proposal by C. N. Yang, a material platform for stabilizing $η$ pairing has remained elusive. Here, we reveal that altermagnetism, despite being pair breaking for conventional BCS pairing, naturally favors $η$-like pairing in V$_2$Se$_2$O-family altermagnets. Their valley-contrasting spin structure gives rise to oppositely spin-polarized, symmetry-related valleys centered at $X=(π,0)$ and $Y=(0,π)$, which form spin-singlet pairing partners separated by the commensurate momentum $\mathbf Q=(π,π)$, thereby favoring an $η$-like condensate. Self-consistent calculations demonstrate that the resulting $η$-like state remains robust over broad variations of chemical potential, hopping parameters, and Fermi-surface topology. To detect this hidden staggered order, we propose a phase-sensitive Josephson measurement with a uniform superconductor, where destructive interference suppresses single-Cooper-pair tunneling while preserving two-Cooper-pair processes. This constitutes a charge-$4e$-like Josephson response despite a bulk condensate composed of charge-$2e$ Cooper pairs, providing a direct phase-sensitive signature of the otherwise elusive $η$-like condensate in V$_2$Se$_2$O-family altermagnets.