arXiv subjects

Hiroshi Kontani

Publications and source records attributed to Hiroshi Kontani.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2024

Drastic magnetic-field-induced chiral current order and emergent current-bond-field interplay in kagome metals

In kagome metals, the chiral current order $η$ with time-reversal-symmetry-breaking is the source of various exotic electronic states, while the method of controlling the current order and its interplay with the star-of-David bond order $ϕ$ are still unsolved. Here, we reveal that tiny uniform orbital magnetization $M[η,ϕ]$ is induced by the chiral current order, and its magnitude is prominently enlarged under the presence of the bond order. Importantly, we derive the magnetic-field ($h$)-induced Ginzburg-Landau free energy expression $ΔF[h,η,ϕ]$, which enables us to elucidate the field-induced current-bond phase transitions in kagome metals. The emergent current-bond-$h$ trilinear coupling term in the free energy, $-3m_1 hηϕ$, naturally explains the characteristic magnetic field sensitive electronic states in kagome metals, such as the field-induced current order and the strong interplay between the bond and current orders. Furthermore, we present a natural explanation for the drastic strain-induced increment of the current order transition temperature T_{TRSB} reported by a recent experiment.

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arXiv2024

Low temperature phase transitions under CDW state in kagome metals AV3Sb5 (A=Cs,Rb,K): Significance of mix-type Fermi surface electron correlations

To understand the multistage phase transitions in V-based kagome metals inside the charge-density-wave (CDW) phase, we focus on the impact of the "mix-type" Fermi surface because it is intact in the CDW state on the "pure-type" Fermi surface. On the mixed-type Fermi surface, moderate spin correlations develop, and we reveal that uniform (q=0) bond order is caused by the paramagnon interference mechanism, which is described by the Aslamazov-Larkin vertex correction. A dominant solution is the E2g-symmetry nematic order, in which the director can be rotated arbitrarily. In addition, we obtain the A1g-symmetry non-nematic order, which leads to the change in the lattice constants without symmetry breaking. The predicted E2g and A1g channel fluctuations at q=0 can be observed by the elastoresistance measurements. These results are useful to understand the multistage phase transitions inside the 2 $\times$ 2 CDW phase. The present theory has a general significance because mix-type band structure universally exists in various kagome lattice models.

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arXiv2024

Real-space Loop Current Pattern in Time-reversal-symmetry Breaking Phase in Kagome Metals

The charge loop current (cLC) state has attracted increasing attention in kagome metals. Here, we calculate the spontaneous currents along the nearest sites $i$ and $j$, $J_{i,j}$, induced by the cLC order that is the imaginary and odd-parity hopping integral modulation $δt_{i,j}$. We reveal that the magnitude of $J_{i,j}$ strongly depends on the nearest sites $i$ and $j$ in the $2\times2$ cLC state, where $η\equiv |δt_{i,j}|$ is equivalent for all nearest sites. The obtained $J_{i,j}$ becomes large near the van-Hove singularity (vHS) filling ($n\sim n_{vHS}$) even when $η$ is fixed. Interestingly, the obtained $J_{i,j}$ exhibits the logarithmic divergence behavior at low temperatures for $n\sim n_{vHS}$ with a fixed $η$, by reflecting the vHS points that are the characteristic of kagome metals. The present study provides useful information for local electronic state measurements, such as the site-selective NMR and STM experiments.

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arXiv2023

Three-dimensional bond-order instability in infinite-layer nickelates due to nonlocal quantum interference

Recently discovered superconducting infinite-layer nickelates $R$NiO$_2$ ($R$=Nd, La, Pr) attracts increasing attention as a similar system to cuprates. Both $R$NiO$_2$ and YBCO cuprates display the three-dimensional (3D) CDW with wave vector ${\bf q}\sim(2π/3,0,q_z)$, while $q_z$ is non-zero and incommensurate in the former system. Here, we reveal that the characteristic CDW in $R$NiO$_2$ can be naturally explained as the quantum interference between paramagnons, by focusing on the following characteristics of $R$NiO$_2$: (i) prominent three-dimensionality in the Fermi surface and (ii) large self-hole-doping ($\sim 14$%). This mechanism predicts the emergence of the $d_{x^2-y^2}$-wave bond order at a secondary 3D nesting vector ${\bf q}^c\sim(2π/3,0,q^c_z)$ $(q^c_z=0.2π\sim 2π/3)$. The obtained strong bond fluctuations lead to the non-Fermi liquid electronic states and superconducting states in nickelates.

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arXiv2023

A Rigorous Formalism of Unconventional Symmetry Breaking in Fermi Liquid Theory and Its Application to Nematicity in FeSe

Unconventional symmetry breaking due to nonlocal order parameters has attracted considerable attention in many strongly correlated metals. Famous examples are the nematic order in Fe-based superconductors and the star-of-David charge density order in kagome metals. Such exotic symmetry breaking in metals is a central issue of modern condensed matter physics, while its theoretical foundation is still unclear in comparison with the well-established theory of superconductivity. To overcome this difficulty, here we introduce the "form factor" that generalizes the nonlocal order parameter into the Luttinger-Ward (LW) Fermi liquid theory. We then construct a rigorous formalism of the "density-wave equation" that gives the thermodynamically stable form factor, similarly to the superconducting-gap equation. In addition, a rigorous expression of the Ginzburg-Landau free-energy for the unconventional order is presented to calculate various thermodynamic properties. In the next stage, we apply the derived formalism to a typical Fe-based superconductor FeSe, by using the one-loop LW function that represents the free-energy gain due to the interference among paramagnons. The following key experiments are naturally explained: (i) Lifshitz transition (=disappearance of an electron-pocket) due to the bond+orbital order below $T_c$. (ii) Curie-Weiss behavior of the nematic susceptibility at higher T, and the deviation from the Curie-Weiss behavior at lower T near the nematic quantum-critical-point. (iii) Scaling relation of the specific heat jump at $T_c$, $ΔC/T_c \propto T_c^b$ with $b \sim 3$. (Note that b=0 in the BCS theory.) These results lead to a conclusion that the nematicity in FeSe is the bond+orbital order due to the "paramagnon interference mechanism". The present theory paves the way for solving various unconventional phase transition systems.

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arXiv2023

Unconventional density waves and superconductivities in Fe-based superconductors and other strongly correlated electron systems

To seek high-$T_c$ pairing mechanism, many scientists have focused on the mysterious spontaneous rotational symmetry breaking above Tc, such as nematic order at $q=0$ and smectic order at $q\ne0$. Such exotic correlation-driven symmetry breaking in metals has become a central issue in condensed matter physics. We demonstrate the emergence of the nematic and smectic orders due to orbital polarization ($n_{xz}\ne n_{yz}$) and the symmetry breaking in the correlated intersite hopping (= bond order $δt_{i,j}$) in Fe-based and cuprate superconductors. In addition, we discuss exotic spontaneous loop current orders driven by the pure imaginary $δt_{i,j}$. These interesting ``unconventional density-waves'' originate from the quantum interference between different spin fluctuations that is described by the vertex correction (VC) in the field theory. In the next stage, we discuss electron-correlation driven superconductivity due to the fluctuations of unconventional density-waves. For this purpose, we suggest the beyond-Migdal-Eliashberg gap equation by including the VCs into the equation. In Fe-based superconductors, high-$T_c$ $s$-wave superconductivity can be mediated by nematic and smectic fluctuations because the pairing interaction is magnified by the VCs. We also discuss the multipolar fluctuation pairing mechanism in heavy fermion systems, owing to the cooperation between the strong spin-orbit interaction and the strong electron correlation. To summarize, we suggest that the quantum interference mechanism described by the VCs is the key ingredients to explain not only various unconventional density-waves, but also exotic superconducting states in many strongly correlated metals. We finally discuss some interesting future issues with respect to the quantum interference mechanism.

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arXiv2022

Mechanism of exotic density-wave and beyond-Migdal unconventional superconductivity in kagome metal AV3Sb5 (A=K, Rb, Cs)

Exotic quantum phase transitions in metals, such as the nematic and smectic states, were discovered one after another and found to be universal now. The emergence of unconventional density-wave order in frustrated kagome metal AV$_3$Sb$_5$ and its interplay with exotic superconductivity attract increasing attention. We reveal that the smectic bond-density-wave is naturally caused by the paramagnon interference mechanism, because strong scatterings among different van-Hove singularity points are induced. In addition, the fluctuations of the bond-order induce sizable "beyond-Migdal" pairing glue, and therefore both singlet nodal $s$-wave pairing and triplet $p$-wave pairing states are expected to emerge. The coexistence of both states would explain exotic superconducting states. Unexpected similarities between kagome metal and some Fe-based superconductors are discussed. This study enables us to understand the exotic density wave, superconductivity and their interplay in kagome metals based on the interference mechanism.

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arXiv2022

Diverse Exotic Orders and Fermiology in Fe-based Superconductors: A Unified Mechanism for $B_{1g}/B_{2g}$ Nematicity in FeSe/(Cs,Rb)Fe$_2$As$_2$ and Smectic Order in BaFe$_2$As$_2$

A rich variety of nematic/smectic orders in Fe-based superconductors is an important unsolved problem in strongly correlated electron systems. A unified understanding of these orders has been investigated for the last decade. In this article, we explain the $B_{1g}$ symmetry nematic transition in FeSe$_{1-x}$Te$_x$, the $B_{2g}$ symmetry nematicity in AFe$_2$As$_2$ (A=Cs, Rb), and the smectic state in BaFe$_2$As$_2$ based on the same framework. We investigate the quantum interference mechanism between spin fluctuations by developing the density wave equation. The observed rich variety of nematic/smectic orders is naturally understood in this mechanism. The nematic/smectic orders depend on the characteristic shape and topology of the Fermi surface (FS) of each compound. (i) In FeSe$_{1-x}$Te$_x$, each FS is very small and the dxy-orbital hole pocket is below the Fermi level. In this case, the small spin fluctuations on three dxz, dyz, and dxy orbitals cooperatively lead to the $B_{1g}$ nematic order. The experimental Lifshitz transition below the nematic transition temperature $(T_S)$ is naturally reproduced. (ii) In BaFe$_2$As$_2$, the dxy-orbital hole pocket emerges around M point, and each FS is relatively large. The strong spin fluctuations due to the dxy-orbital nesting give rise to the $B_{1g}$ nematic order and the smectic order, and the latter transition temperature ($T^*$) exceeds the former one $T_S$. (iii) In heavily hole-doped AFe$_2$As$_2$, the large dxy-orbital hole pocket and the four tiny Dirac pockets appear due to the hole-doping. The $B_{2g}$ nematic bond order emerges on the dxy-orbital hole pocket due to the same interference mechanism. The present paramagnon interference mechanism provides a unified explanation of why the variety of nematic/smectic orders in Fe-based superconductors is so rich, based on the well-established fermiology of Fe-based superconductors.

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arXiv2022

$SU(4)$ Valley + Spin Fluctuation Interference Mechanism for Nematic Order in Magic Angle Twisted Bilayer Graphene: Impact of Vertex Corrections

In the magic angle twisted bilayer graphene (MATBG), one of the most remarkable observations is the $C_3$-symmetry-breaking nematic state. We identify that the nematicity in MATBG is the $E$-symmetry ferro bond order, which is the modulation of correlated hopping integrals owing to the $E$-symmetry particle-hole pairing condensation. The nematicity in MATBG originates from prominent quantum interference among $SU(4)$ valley+spin composite fluctuations. This novel "valley + spin fluctuation interference mechanism" is revealed by the density wave equation analysis for realistic multiorbital Hubbard model for MATBG. \color{black}We find that the nematic state is robust once three van Hove singularity points exist in each valley. This interference mechanism also causes novel time-reversal-symmetry-broken valley polarization accompanied by a charge loop current. We discuss interesting similarities and differences between MATBG and Fe-based superconductors.

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arXiv2021

Emergence of Charge Loop Current in Geometrically Frustrated Hubbard Model: Functional Renormalization Group Study

Spontaneous current orders due to odd-parity order parameters attract increasing attention in various strongly correlated metals. Here, we discover a novel spin-fluctuation-driven charge loop current (cLC) mechanism based on the functional renormalization group (fRG) theory. The present mechanism leads to the ferro-cLC order in a simple frustrated chain Hubbard model. The cLC appears between the antiferromagnetic and $d$-wave superconducting ($d$SC) phases. While the microscopic origin of the cLC has a close similarity to that of the $d$SC, the cLC transition temperature $T_{\rm cLC}$ can be higher than the $d$SC one for wide parameter range. Furthermore, we reveal that the ferro cLC order is driven by the strong enhancement of the forward scatterings $g_2$ and $g_4$ owing to the two dimensionality based on the $g$-ology language. The present study indicates that the cLC can emerge in metals near the magnetic criticality with geometrical frustration

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arXiv2021

Unconventional orbital-charge density wave mechanism in transition metal dichalcogenide 1T-TaS2

The transition metal dichalcogenide 1T-TaS2 attract growing attention because of the formation of rich density-wave (DW) and superconducting transitions. However, the origin of the incommensurate DW state at the highest temperature (~ 550 K), which is "the parent state" of the rich physical phenomena, is still uncovered. Here, we present a natural explanation for the triple-q incommensurate DW in 1T-TaS2 based on the first-principles Hubbard model with on-site U. We apply the paramagnon interference mechanism that gives the nematic order in Fe-based superconductors. The derived order parameter has very unique characters: (i) the orbital-selective nature, and (ii) the unconventional sign-reversal in both momentum and energy spaces. The present study will be useful for understanding rich physics in 1T-TaS2, 1T-VSe2, and other transition metal dichalcogenides.

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arXiv2021

Generation of odd-frequency surface superconductivity with spontaneous spin current due to the zero-energy Andreev bound state

We propose that the odd-frequency $s$ wave ($s^{\rm{odd}}$ wave) superconducting gap function, which is usually unstable in the bulk, naturally emerges at the edge of $d$ wave superconductors. This prediction is based on the surface spin fluctuation pairing mechanism owing to the zero-energy surface Andreev bound state. The interference between bulk and edge gap functions triggers the $d+s^{\rm{odd}}$ state, and the generated spin current is a useful signal uncovering the ``hidden'' odd-frequency gap. In addition, the edge $s^{\rm{odd}}$ gap can be determined via the proximity effect on the diffusive normal metal. Furthermore, this study provides a decisive validation of the ``Hermite odd-frequency gap function,'' which has been an open fundamental challenge to this field.

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arXiv2021

$d$- and $p$-wave quantum liquid crystal orders in cuprate superconductors, $κ$-(BEDT-TTF)$_2$X, and coupled chain Hubbard models: functional-renormalization-group analysis

Unconventional symmetry breaking without spin order,such as the rotational symmetry breaking (=nematic or smectic) orders as well as the spontaneous loop-current orders, have been recently reported in cuprate superconductors and their related materials.They are theoretically represented by non-$A_{1g}$ symmetry breaking in self-energy, which we call the form factor $f_{k,q}$.In this paper, we analyze typical Hubbard models by applying the renormalization-group (RG) method, and find that various unconventional ordering emerges due to the quantum interference among spin fluctuations. Due to this mechanism,nematic ($q=0$) and smectic ($q \ne 0$)bond orders with $d$-wave form factor appear $f_{k,q}\propto \cos k_x - \cos k_y$ in both cuprates and $κ$-(BEDT-TTF)$_2$X. The derived bond orders naturally explain the pseudogap behaviors in these compounds. The quantum interference also induces various current orders with odd-parity form factor. For example, we find the emergence of the charge and spin loop-current orders with $p$-wave form factor in geometrically frustrated Hubbard models. Thus, rich quantum phase transitions with $d$- and $p$-wave form factors are driven by the paramagnon interference in many low-dimensional Hubbard models.

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arXiv2021

Development of spin fluctuations under the presence of $d$-wave bond order in cuprate superconductors

In cuprate superconductors, superconductivity appears below the CDW transition temperature $T_{CDW}$. However, many-body electronic states under the CDW order are still far from understood. Here, we study the development of the spin fluctuations under the presence of $d$-wave bond order (BO) with wavevector $q=(π/2,0),(0,π/2)$, which is derived from the paramagnon interference mechanism in recent theoretical studies. Based on the $4 \times 1$ and $4 \times 4$ cluster Hubbard models, the feedback effects between spin susceptibility and self-energy are calculated self-consistently by using the fluctuation-exchange (FLEX) approximation. It is found that the $d$-wave BO leads to a sizable suppression of the nuclear magnetic relaxation rate $1/T_1$. In contrast, the reduction in $T_c$ is small, since the static susceptibility $χ^s(Q_s)$ is affected by the BO just slightly. It is verified that the $d$-wave BO scenario is consistent with the experimental electronic properties below $T_{CDW}$.

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arXiv2021

Prediction of pseudogap formation due to $d$-wave bond-order in organic superconductor $κ$-(BEDT-TTF)$_2$X

Rich hidden unconventional orders with pseudogap formation, such as the inter-site bond-order (BO), attract increasing attention in condensed matter physics. Here, we investigate the hidden order formation in organic unconventional superconductor $κ$-(BEDT-TTF)$_2$X. We predict the formation of $d$-wave BO at wavelength $q=Q_B=(δ,δ)$ ($δ=0.38π$) for the first time, based on both the functional renormalization group (fRG) and the density-wave equation theories. The origin of the BO is the quantum interference among antiferromagnetic spin fluctuations. This prediction leads to distinct pseudogap-like reduction in the NMR $1/T_1$ relaxation rate and in the density-of-states, consistently with essential experimental reports. The present theory would be applicable for other strongly correlated metals with pseudogap formation.

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arXiv2021

Odd-parity spin-loop-current order mediated by transverse spin fluctuations in cuprates and related electron systems

Unconventional symmetry-breaking phenomena due to nontrivial order parameters attract increasing attention in strongly correlated electron systems. Here, we predict theoretically the occurrence of nanoscale spontaneous spin-current, called the spin loop-current (sLC) order, as a promising origin of the pseudogap and electronic nematicity in cuprates. We reveal that the sLC is driven by the odd-parity electron-hole condensation that are mediated by transverse spin fluctuations around the pseudogap temperature $T^*$. At the same temperature, odd-parity magnon pair condensation occurs. The sLC order is "hidden" in that neither internal magnetic field nor charge density modulation is induced, whereas the predicted sLC with finite wavenumber naturally gives the Fermi arc structure. In addition, the fluctuations of sLC order work as attractive pairing interaction between adjacent hot spots, which enlarges the d-wave superconducting transition temperature $T_c$. The sLC state will be a key ingredient in understanding the pseudogap, electronic nematicity as well as superconductivity in cuprates and other strongly correlated metals.

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arXiv2020

Doping effects on electronic states in electron-doped FeSe: Impact of self-energy and vertex corrections

The pairing glue of high-$T_{\rm c}$ superconductivity in heavily electron-doped (e-doped) FeSe, in which hole-pockets are absent, has been an important unsolved problem. Here, we focus on a heavily e-doped bulk superconductor Li$_{1-x}$Fe$_x$OHFeSe ($T_{\rm c} \sim 40$K). We construct a multiorbital model beyond the rigid band approximation and analyze the spin and orbital fluctuations by taking both vertex corrections (VCs) and self-energy into consideration. Without e-doping ($x=0$), the ferro-orbital order without magnetism in FeSe is reproduced by the VCs.The orbital order quickly disappears when the hole-pocket vanishes at $x \sim 0.03$. With increasing $x$ further, the spin fluctuations remain small, whereas orbital fluctuations gradually increase with $x$ due to the VCs. The negative feedback due to the self-energy is crucial to explain experimental phase diagram. Thanks to both vertex and self-energy corrections, the orbital-fluctuation-mediated $s_{++}$-wave state appears for a wide doping range, consistent with experiments.

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arXiv2020

Hidden antiferro-nematic order in Fe-based superconductor BaFe$_2$As$_2$ and NaFeAs above $T_S$

In several Fe-based superconductors, slight $C_4$ symmetry breaking occurs at $T^*$, which is tens of Kelvin higher than the structural transition temperature $T_S$. In this "hidden" nematic state at $T_S<T<T^*$, the orthorhombicity is tiny [$ϕ=(a-b)/(a+b) \ll 0.1$%], but clear evidences of bulk phase transition have been accumulated. To explain this long-standing mystery, we propose the emergence of antiferro-bond (AFB) order with the antiferro wavevector ${\bf q}=(0,π)$ at $T=T^*$, by which the characteristic phenomena below $T^*$ are satisfactorily explained. This AFB order originates from the inter-orbital nesting between the $d_{xy}$-orbital hole-pocket and the electron-pocket, and this inter-orbital bond order naturally explains the pseudogap, band-folding, and tiny nematicity that is linear in $T^*-T$. The hidden AFB order explains key experiments in both BaFe$_2$As$_2$ and NaFeAs, but it is not expected to occur in FeSe because of the absence of the $d_{xy}$-orbital hole-pocket.

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