arXiv subjects

Christian Platt

Publications and source records attributed to Christian Platt.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2016

Density wave instabilities and surface state evolution in interacting Weyl semimetals

We investigate the interplay of many-body and band structure effects of interacting Weyl semimetals (WSM). Attractive and repulsive Hubbard interactions are studied within a model for a time-reversal-breaking WSM with tetragonal symmetry, where we can approach the limit of weakly coupled planes and coupled chains by varying the hopping amplitudes. Using a slab geometry, we employ the variational cluster approach to describe the evolution of WSM Fermi arc surface states as a function of interaction strength. We find spin and charge density wave instabilities which can gap out Weyl nodes. We identify scenarios where the bulk Weyl nodes are gapped while the Fermi arcs still persist, hence realizing a quantum anomalous Hall state.

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arXiv2016

Evolution of superconducting gap anisotropy in hole-doped 122 iron pnictides

Motivated by recent experimental findings, we investigate the evolution of the superconducting gap anisotropy in 122 iron pnictides as a function of hole doping. Employing both a functional and a weak coupling renormalization group approach (FRG and WRG), we analyse the Fermi surface instabilities of an effective 122 model band structure at different hole dopings x, and derive the gap anisotropy from the leading superconducting instability. In the transition regime from collinear magnetism to s_{\pm}-wave, where strong correlations are present, we employ FRG to identify a non- monotonous change of the gap anisotropy in qualitative agreement with new experimental findings. From the WRG, which is asymptotically exact in the weak coupling limit, we find an s_{\pm}-wave to d-wave transition as a function of hole doping, complementing previous findings from FRG [Thomale et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 107, 117001 (2011)]. The gap anisotropy of the s_{\pm}-wave monotonously increases towards the transition to d-wave as a function of x.

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arXiv2016

Spin-orbit coupling and odd-parity superconductivity in the quasi-one-dimensional compound Li$_{0.9}$Mo$_6$O$_{17}$

Previous theoretical studies [W. Cho, C. Platt, R. H. McKenzie, and S. Raghu, Phys. Rev. B 92, 134514 (2015); N. Lera and J. V. Alvarez, Phys. Rev. B 92, 174523 (2015)] have suggested that Li$_{0.9}$Mo$_6$O$_{17}$, a quasi-one dimensional "purple bronze" compound, exhibits spin-triplet superconductivity and that the gap function changes sign across the two nearly degenerate Fermi surface sheets. We investigate the role of spin-orbit coupling (SOC) in determining the symmetry and orientation of the $d$-vector associated with the superconducting order parameter. We propose that the lack of local inversion symmetry within the four-atom unit cell leads to a staggered spin-orbit coupling analogous to that proposed for graphene, MoS$_2$, or SrPtAs. In addition, from a weak-coupling renormalization group treatment of an effective model Hamiltonian, we find that SOC favors the odd parity $A_{1u}$ state with $S_z = \pm 1$ over the $B$ states with $S_z=0$, where $z$ denotes the least-conducting direction. We discuss possible definitive experimental signatures of this superconducting state.

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arXiv2015

Spin-triplet superconductivity in a weak-coupling Hubbard model for the quasi-one-dimensional compound Li$_{0.9}$Mo$_6$O$_{17}$

The purple bronze Li$_{0.9}$Mo$_6$O$_{17}$ is of interest due to its quasi-one-dimensional electronic structure and the possible Luttinger liquid behavior resulting from it. For sufficiently low temperatures, it is a superconductor with a pairing symmetry that is still to be determined. To shed light on this issue, we analyze a minimal Hubbard model for this material involving four molybdenum orbitals per unit cell near quarter filling, using asymptotically exact perturbative renormalization group methods. We find that spin triplet odd-parity superconductivity is the dominant instability. Approximate nesting properties of the two quasi-one-dimensional Fermi surfaces enhance certain second-order processes, which play crucial roles in determining the structure of the pairing gap. Notably, we find that the gap has accidental nodes, i.e. it has more sign changes than required by the point-group symmetry.

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arXiv2015

Phase diagram of the Hubbard model on the anisotropic triangular lattice

We investigate the Hubbard model on the anisotropic triangular lattice as a suggested effective description of the Mott phase in various triangular organic compounds. Employing the variational cluster approximation and the ladder dual-fermion approach as complementary methods to adequately treat the zero-temperature and the finite-temperature domains, we obtain a consistent picture of the phase diagram as a function of anisotropy and interaction strength. The metal-insulator transition substantially depends on the anisotropy, and so does the nature of magnetism and the emergence of a nonmagnetic insulating phase. We further find that geometric anisotropy significantly influences the thermodynamics of the system. For increased frustration induced by anisotropy, the entropy of the system increases with interaction strength, opening the possibility of adiabatically cooling a frustrated system by an enhancement of electronic correlations.

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arXiv2015

Accessing topological superconductivity via a combined STM and renormalization group analysis

The search for topological superconductors has recently become a key issue in condensed matter physics, because of their possible relevance to provide a platform for Majorana bound states, non-Abelian statistics, and fault-tolerant quantum computing. We propose a new scheme which links as directly as possible the experimental search to a material-based microscopic theory for topological superconductivity. For this, the analysis of scanning tunneling microscopy, which typically uses a phenomenological ansatz for the superconductor gap functions, is elevated to a theory, where a multi-orbital functional renormalization group analysis allows for an unbiased microscopic determination of the material-dependent pairing potentials. The combined approach is highlighted for paradigmatic hexagonal systems, such as doped graphene and water-intercalated sodium cobaltates, where lattice symmetry and electronic correlations yield a propensity for a chiral singlet topological superconductor state. We demonstrate that our microscopic material-oriented procedure is necessary to uniquely resolve a topological superconductor state.

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arXiv2014

Chiral $d$-wave Superconductivity in SrPtAs

Recent $μ$SR measurements on SrPtAs revealed time-reversal-symmetry breaking with the onset of superconductivity [Biswas et al., Phys. Rev. B 87, 180503(R) (2013)], suggesting an unconventional superconducting state. We investigate this possibility via functional renormalization group and find a chiral $(d+\mathrm{i}d)$-wave order parameter favored by the multiband fermiology and hexagonal symmetry of SrPtAs. This $(d+\mathrm{i}d)$-wave state exhibits significant gap anisotropies as well as gap differences on the different bands, but only has point nodes on one of the bands at the Brillouin zone corners. We study the topological characteristics of this superconducting phase, which features Majorana-Weyl nodes in the bulk, protected surface states, and an associated thermal Hall response. The lack of extended nodes and the spontaneously broken time-reversal symmetry of the $(d+\mathrm{i}d)$-wave state are in agreement with the $μ$SR experiments. Our theoretical findings together with the experimental evidence thus suggests that SrPtAs is the first example of chiral $d$-wave superconductivity.

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arXiv2013

Functional Renormalization Group for multi-orbital Fermi Surface Instabilities

Technological progress in material synthesis, as well as artificial realization of condensed matter scenarios via ultra-cold atomic gases in optical lattices or epitaxial growth of thin films, is opening the gate to investigate a plethora of unprecedented strongly correlated electron systems. In a large subclass thereof, a metallic state of layered electrons undergoes an ordering transition below some temperature into unconventional states of matter driven by electronic correlations, such as magnetism, superconductivity, or other Fermi surface instabilities. While this type of phenomena has been a well-established direction of research in condensed matter for decades, the variety of today's accessible scenarios pose fundamental new challenges to describe them. A core complication is the multi-orbital nature of the low-energy electronic structure of these systems, such as the multi-d orbital nature of electrons in iron pnictides and transition-metal oxides in general, but also electronic states of matter on lattices with multiple sites per unit cell such as the honeycomb or kagome lattice. In this review, we propagate the functional renormalization group (FRG) as a suited approach to investigate multi-orbital Fermi surface instabilities. The primary goal of the review is to describe the FRG in explicit detail and render it accessible to everyone both at a technical and intuitive level. Summarizing recent progress in the field of multi-orbital Fermi surface instabilities, we illustrate how the unbiased fashion by which the FRG treats all kinds of ordering tendencies guarantees an adequate description of electronic phase diagrams and often allows to obtain parameter trends of sufficient accuracy to make qualitative predictions for experiments. This review includes detailed and illustrative illustrations of magnetism and, in particular, superconductivity for the iron pnictides from the viewpoint of FRG. Furthermore, it discusses candidate scenarios for topological bulk singlet superconductivity and exotic particle-hole condensates on hexagonal lattices such as sodium-doped cobaltates, graphene doped to van Hove Filling, and the kagome Hubbard model. In total, the FRG promises to be one of the most versatile and revealing numerical approaches to address unconventional Fermi surface instabilities in future fields of condensed matter research.

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arXiv2013

Renormalization group analysis of competing quantum phases in the J1-J2 Heisenberg model on the kagome lattice

Recent discoveries in neutron scattering experiments for Kapellasite and Herbertsmithite as well as theoretical calculations of possible spin liquid phases have revived interest in magnetic phenomena on the kagome lattice. We study the quantum phase diagram of the S=1/2 Heisenberg kagome model as a function of nearest neighbor coupling J1 and second neighbor coupling J2. Employing the pseudofermion functional renormalization group, we find four types of magnetic quantum order (q=0 order, cuboc order, ferromagnetic order, and Sqrt{3}x\Sqrt{3} order) as well as extended magnetically disordered regions by which we specify the possible parameter regime for Kapellasite. In the disordered regime J2/J1<<1, the flatness of the magnetic susceptibility at the zone boundary which is observed for Herbertsmithite can be reconciled with the presence of small J2>0 coupling. In particular, we analyze the dimer susceptibilities related to different valence bond crystal (VBC) patterns, which are strongly inhomogeneous indicating the rejection of VBC order in the RG flow.

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arXiv2013

Anisotropic chiral d+id superconductivity in NaxCoO2 yH2O

Since its discovery, the superconducting phase in water-intercalated sodium cobaltates NaxCoO2 yH2O (x~0.3, y~1.3) has posed fundamental challenges in terms of experimental investigation and theoretical understanding. By a combined dynamical mean-field and renormalization group approach, we find an anisotropic chiral d+id wave state as a consequence of multi-orbital effects, Fermi surface topology, and magnetic fluctuations. It naturally explains the singlet property and close-to-nodal gap features of the superconducting phase as indicated by experiments.

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arXiv2012

Unconventional Fermi surface instabilities in the Kagome Hubbard Model

We investigate the competing Fermi surface instabilities in the Kagome tight-binding model. Specifically, we consider onsite and short-range Hubbard interactions in the vicinity of van Hove filling of the dispersive Kagome bands where the Fermiology promotes the joint effect of enlarged density of states and nesting. The sublattice interference mechanism [Kiesel and Thomale, Phys. Rev. B Rapid Comm., in press.] allows us to explain the intricate interplay between ferromagnetic fluctuations and other ordering tendencies. On the basis of functional renormalization group used to obtain an adequate low-energy theory description, we discover finite angular momentum spin and charge density wave order, a two-fold degenerate d-wave Pomeranchuk instability, and f-wave superconductivity away from van Hove filling. Together, this makes the Kagome Hubbard model the prototypical scenario for several unconventional Fermi surface instabilities.

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arXiv2012

Exotic d-wave superconductivity in strongly hole doped K(x)Ba(1-x)Fe2As2

We investigate the superconducting phase in the K(x)Ba(1-x)Fe2As2 122 compounds from moderate to strong hole-doping regimes. Using functional renormalization group, we show that while the system develops a nodeless anisotropic s+- order parameter in the moderately doped regime, gapping out the electron pockets at strong hole doping drives the system into a nodal cos (kx) cos (ky) d-wave superconducting state. This is in agreement with recent experimental evidence from measurements on KFe2As2 which see a nodal order parameter in the extreme doping regime. The magnetic instability is strongly suppressed. The case of only hole pockets present is argued to be structurally similar to the case of only electron pockets present as indicated for KxFe2Se2.

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arXiv2011

Competing many-body instabilities and unconventional superconductivity in graphene

The band structure of graphene exhibits van Hove singularities (VHS) at doping x=+- 1/8 away from the Dirac point. Near the VHS, interactions effects, enhanced due to the large density of states, can give rise to various many-body phases at experimentally accessible temperatures. We study the competition between different many-body instabilities in graphene using functional renormalization group (FRG). We predict a rich phase diagram, which, depending on long range hopping as well as screening strength and absolute scale of the Coulomb interaction, contains a d+id-wave superconducting (SC) phase, or a spin density wave phase at the VHS. The d+id state is expected to exhibit quantized charge and spin Hall response, as well as Majorana modes bound to vortices. In the vicinity of the VHS, we find singlet d+id-wave as well as triplet f-wave SC phases.

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arXiv2011

Mechanism for a Pairing State with Time-Reversal Symmetry Breaking in Iron-Based Superconductors

The multipocket Fermi surfaces of iron-based superconductors promote pairing states with both s_{+-}-wave and d_{x^2-y^2}-wave symmetry. We argue that the competition between these two order parameters could lead to a time-reversal-symmetry breaking state with s+id-pairing symmetry in the iron-based superconductors, and propose serveral scenarios in which this phase may be found. To understand the emergence of such a pairing state on a more rigorous footing, we start from a microscopic 5-orbital description representative for the pnictides. Using a combined approach of functional renormalization group and mean-field analysis, we identify the microscopic parameters of the s+id-pairing state. There, we find the most promising region for s+id-pairing in the electron doped regime with an enhanced pnictogen height.

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arXiv2011

From density functional theory to the functional renormalization group: superconductivity in the iron pnictide LiFeAs

A combined density functional theory and functional renormalization group method is introduced which takes into account orbital-dependent interaction parameters to derive the effective low-energy theory of weakly to intermediately correlated Fermi systems. As an application, the competing fluctuations in LiFeAs are investigated, which is the main representative of the 111 class of iron pnictides displaying no magnetic order, but superconductivity, for the parent compound. The superconducting order parameter is found to be of s+- type driven by collinear antiferromagnetic fluctuations. They eventually exceed the ferromagnetic fluctuations stemming from the small hole pocket at the Gamma point, as the system flows to low energies.

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arXiv2010

Order-Parameter Anisotropies in the Pnictides - An Optimization Principle for Multi-Band Superconductivity

Using general arguments of an optimization taking place between the pair wave function and the repulsive part of the electron-electron interaction, we analyze the superconducting gap in materials with multiple Fermi-surface (FS) pockets, with exemplary application to two proto-type ferropnictide setups. On the basis of functional renormalization group (FRG) calculations for a wide parameter span of the bare interactions, we show that the symmetry of the gap and the nodal versus nodeless behavior is driven by this optimization requirement.

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arXiv2010

Why some Iron-based superconductors are nodal while others are nodeless

The symmetry of the order parameter in iron-based superconductors, especially the presence or absence of nodes, is still a question of debate. While contradictory experiments can be explained by appropriately tuned theories of nodeless superconductivity in the iron-arsenide compounds, for LaOFeP all experiments clearly point to a nodal order parameter. We put forward a scenario that naturally explains the difference between the order-parameter character in these two sets of compounds, and use functional renormalization group (fRG) techniques to analyze it in detail. Our results show that, due to the orbital content of the electron and hole bands, nodal superconductivity on the electron pockets (hole pocket gaps are always nodeless) can naturally appear when the third hole pocket which lies at wavevector (pi,pi) in the unfolded Brillouin zone is absent, as is the case in LaOFeP. When present, the third hole pocket has overwhelming d_{xy} orbital character, and the intra-orbital interaction with the d_{xy} dominated part of the electron Fermi surface is enough to drive the superconductivity nodeless (of s^+- form). However, in its absence, pair hopping, inter-orbital, and electron-electron intra-orbital interactions render the gap on the electron pockets softly nodal.

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arXiv2009

Doping-dependent pairing symmetry in the Iron-Pnictides

We use the functional renormalization group method to analyze the phase diagram of a 4-band model for the iron-pnictides subject to band interactions with certain A_{1g} momentum dependence. We determine the parameter regimes where an extended s-wave pairing instability with and without nodes emerges. On the electron-doped side, the parameter regime in which a nodal gap appears is found to be much narrower than recently predicted in arXiv:0903.5547. On the hole-doped side, the extended s-wave pairing never becomes nodal: above a critical strength of the intra-band repulsion, the system favors an exotic extended d-wave instability on the enlarged hole pockets at much lower T_c. At half filling, we find that a strong momentum dependence of inter-band pair hopping yields an extended s-wave instability instead of spin-density wave (SDW) ordering. These results demonstrate that an interaction anisotropy around the Fermi surfaces generally leads to a pronounced sensitivity of the pairing state on the system parameters.

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