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Masanori Ichioka

Publications and source records attributed to Masanori Ichioka.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Symmetry Protected Topological Superfluids and Superconductors --- From the Basics to $^3$He ---

In this article, we give a comprehensive review of recent progress in research on symmetry-protected topological superfluids and topological crystalline superconductors, and their physical consequences such as helical and chiral Majorana fermions. We start this review article with the minimal model that captures the essence of such topological materials. The central part of this article is devoted to the superfluid $^3$He, which serves as a rich repository of novel topological quantum phenomena originating from the intertwining of symmetries and topologies. In particular, it is emphasized that the quantum fluid confined to nanofabricated geometries possesses multiple superfluid phases composed of the symmetry-protected topological superfluid B-phase, the A-phase as a Weyl superfluid, the nodal planar and polar phases, and the crystalline ordered stripe phase. All these phases generate noteworthy topological phenomena, including topological phase transitions concomitant with spontaneous symmetry breaking, Majorana fermions, Weyl superfluidity, emergent supersymmetry, spontaneous edge mass and spin currents, topological Fermi arcs, and exotic quasiparticles bound to topological defects. In relation to the mass current carried by gapless edge states, we also briefly review a longstanding issue on the intrinsic angular momentum paradox in $^3$He-A. Moreover, we share the current status of our knowledge on the topological aspects of unconventional superconductors, such as the heavy-fermion superconductor UPt$_3$ and superconducting doped topological insulators, in connection with the superfluid $^3$He.

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Hidden Crossover Phenomena in Strongly Pauli Limited Multiband Superconductors ---Application to CeCu$_2$Si$_2$

Motivated by recent experiments on heavy fermion materials CeCu$_2$Si$_2$ and UBe$_{13}$, we develop a framework to capture generic properties of multiband superconductors with strong Pauli paramagnetic effect (PPE). In contrast to the single band case, the upper critical field $H_{\rm c2}$ can remain second order transition even for strong PPE cases. The expected first order transition is hidden inside $H_{\rm c2}$ and becomes a crossover due to the interplay of multibandness. The present theory based on full self-consistent solutions of the microscopic Eilenberger theory explains several mysterious anomalies associated with the crossover and the "empty" vortex core state which is observed by recent STM experiment on CeCu$_2$Si$_2$.

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Pauli-paramagnetic effects on mixed state properties in a strongly anisotropic superconductor ---Application to Sr_2_RuO_4_---

We study theoretically the mixed state properties of a strong uniaxially-anisotropic type II superconductor with the Pauli paramagnetic effect, focusing on their behaviors when the magnetic field orientation is tilted from the conduction layer ab plane. On the basis of Eilenberger theory, we quantitatively estimate significant contributions of the Pauli paramagnetic effects on a variety of physical observables, including transverse and longitudinal components of the flux line lattice form factors, magnetization curves, Sommerfeld coefficient, field distributions and magnetic torques. We apply these studies to Sr_2_RuO_4_ and quantitatively explain several seemingly curious behaviors, including the H_c2_ suppression for the ab plane direction, the larger anisotropy ratio and intensity found by the spin-flip small angle neutron scattering, and the first order transition observed recently in magneto-caloric, specific heat and magnetization measurements in a coherent and consistent manner. Those lead us to conclude that Sr_2_RuO_4_ is either a spin-singlet or a spin-triplet pairing with the d-vector components in the ab plane.

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Eilenberger theory and London theory for transverse components of flux line lattice form factors in uniaxial superconductors

We theoretically study the magnetic field orientation dependence of longitudinal and transverse flux line lattice form factors in uniaxial superconductors with anisotropy ratio corresponding to YBa_2_Cu_3_O_{7-delta}. We discuss influences of the anisotropy ratio of coherence length, and differences between the s-wave and the d_{x^2-y^2}-wave pairings. The calculations are performed by two methods, the Eilenberger theory and the London theory comparatively, and we study the cutoff function of the extended London theory, which will be helpful in the analysis of the small angle neutron scattering in the vortex states.

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Knight shift spectrum in vortex states in s-wave and d-wave superconductors on the basis of Eilenberger theory

From the spatial structure of vortex lattice state calculated by Eilenberger theory, we study the resonance line shape of Knight shift of the paramagnetic moments in the s-wave and the d-wave superconductors, comparing with the Redfield pattern of the internal field distribution. We discuss the deviation from the temperature dependence of the Yosida function, and the magnetic field dependence of the paramagnetic susceptibility. In addition to the calculation in the clean limit, influences of the impurity scattering are estimated in the Born limit and in the unitary limit. These results are helpful for the analysis of NMR experiments to know properties of the superconductors.

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Superconductivity in Ca10(Ir4As8)(Fe2As2)5 with Square-Planar Coordination of Iridium

We report the unprecedented square-planar coordination of iridium in the iron iridium arsenide Ca10(Ir4As8)(Fe2As2)5. This material experiences superconductivity at 16 K. X-ray photoemission spectroscopy and first- principles band calculation suggest Ir(II) oxidation state, which yields electrically conductive Ir4As8 layers. Such metallic spacer layers are thought to enhance the interlayer coupling of Fe2As2, in which superconductivity emerges, thus offering a way to control the superconducting transition temperature.

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UPt$_3$ as a Topological Crystalline Superconductor

We investigate the topological aspect of the spin-triplet $f$-wave superconductor UPt$_3$ through microscopic calculations of edge- and vortex-bound states based on the quasiclassical Eilenberger and Bogoliubov-de Gennes theories. It is shown that a gapless and linear dispersion exists at the edge of the $ab$-plane. This forms a Majorana valley, protected by the mirror chiral symmetry. We also demonstrate that, with increasing magnetic field, vortex-bound quasiparticles undergo a topological phase transition from topologically trivial states in the double-core vortex to zero-energy states in the normal-core vortex. As long as the $d$-vector is locked into the $ab$-plane, the mirror symmetry holds the Majorana property of the zero-energy states, and thus UPt$_3$ preserves topological crystalline superconductivity that is robust against the crystal field and spin-orbit interaction.

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Transverse magnetic field and chiral-nonchiral transition in vortex states for nearly B//ab in chiral p-wave superconductors

On the basis of Eilenberger theory, we study the vortex state when a magnetic field is applied nearly parallel to the ab plane in a chiral p-wave superconductor with a large anisotropy ratio of ab and c, as in Sr2RuO4. We quantitatively estimate the field dependence of the pair potential, magnetization, and flux line lattice form factor, and study the transition from the chiral p_- state at low fields to the nonchiral p_y state at high fields. Even for exactly parallel fields to the ab plane, transverse fields exist in the chiral state. The chiral-nonchiral transition disappears when the magnetic field orientation is tilted within 1 degree from the ab plane. This may be a reason why the experimental detection of this transition is difficult.

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Rotation of Triangular Vortex Lattice in the Two-Band Superconductor MgB2

To identify the contributions of the multiband nature and the anisotropy of a microscopic electronic structure to a macroscopic vortex lattice morphology, we develop a method based on the Eilenberger theory near Hc2 combined with the first-principles band calculation to estimate the stable vortex lattice configuration. For a typical two-band superconductor MgB2, successive transitions of vortex lattice orientation that have been observed recently by small angle neutron scattering [Das, et al.: Phys. Rev. Lett. 108 (2012) 167001] are explained by the characteristic field-dependence of twoband superconductivity and the competition of sixfold anisotropy between the sigma- and pi-bands. The reentrant transition at low temperature reflects the Fermi velocity anisotropy of the sigma-band.

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Surface Bound States and Spontaneous Current in Cyclic d-Wave Superconductors

On the basis of Eilenberger theory, surface bound states and spontaneous current are studied in cyclic d-wave superconductors as a broken time-reversal symmetry of superconductivity in cubic lattice symmetry. We discuss how the spontaneous current and the electronic states depend on the orientation of the surface relative to the symmetry of superconductivity. The condition for topological Fermi arcs of zero-energy surface bound states to appear is identified in the complex pairing function of the cyclic d-wave.

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Multiple-gap structure in electric-field-induced surface superconductivity

Local superconducting gap structure is studied as a function of nanoscale depth in electric-field-induced surface superconductivity such as in SrTiO3. We examine solutions of Bogoliubov-de Gennes equation in two limiting confinement potential cases of electric field with and without screening effects. As unique properties different from bulk superconductivity, there appear in-gap states even for isotropic s-wave pairing, due to multiple gap structure of sub-band dependent surface superconductivity. These determine the depth-dependence of local superconductivity.

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Odd-frequency Cooper pair amplitude around a vortex core in a chiral p-wave superconductor in the quantum limit

Solving the Bogoliubov-de Gennes equation, we study the spatial structure of odd-frequency s-wave Cooper pair amplitudes at each quantized energy level of vortex bound states in chiral p-wave superconductors. For zero energy Majorana states, the odd-frequency s-wave pair amplitude has the same spatial structure as that of the local density of states even in atomic length scale. This relation also holds in finite energy bound states for single vortex winding anti-parallel to the chirality, but not for parallel vortex winding. The double winding vortex case is also studied.

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Superconducting gap structure of CeIrIn5 from field-angle-resolved measurements of its specific heat

In order to identify the gap structure of CeIrIn5, we measured field-angle-resolved specific heat C(phi) by conically rotating the magnetic field H around the c axis at low temperatures down to 80 mK. We revealed that C(phi) exhibits a fourfold angular oscillation, whose amplitude decreases monotonically by tilting H out of the ab plane. Detailed microscopic calculations based on the quasiclassical Eilenberger equation confirm that the observed features are uniquely explained by assuming the dx2-y2-wave gap. These results strongly indicate that CeIrIn5 is a dx2-y2-wave superconductor and suggest the universal pairing mechanism in CeMIn5 (M = Co, Rh, and Ir).

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Field Evolution of the Fulde-Ferrell-Larkin-Ovchinnikov State in a Superconductor with Strong Pauli Effects

The Fulde-Ferrell-Larkin-Ovchinnikov (FFLO) phase in the vortex lattice state is quantitatively studied using the selfconsistent Eilenberger theory in three-dimensional (3D) space. We estimate free energy to determine the FFLO phase diagram in the H-T plane and stable FFLO wave number in the isotropic system with the 3D Fermi sphere and s-wave pairing. To facilitate the experimental identification of the FFLO state, we investigate the field evolution of NMR spectra and flux line lattice form factors obtained in neutron scattering in the FFLO vortex states. Possible applications of our results to experimental data on CeCoIn5 are mentioned.

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Lower Critical Field Hc1(T) and Pairing Symmetry Based on Eilenberger Theory

We quantitatively estimate different T-dependences of Hc1 between s wave and d wave pairings by Eilenberger theory. The T-dependences of Hc1(T) show quantitative deviation from those in London theory. We also study differences of Hc1(T) between p+ and p- wave pairing in chiral p wave superconductors. There, Hc1(T) is lower in p- wave pairing, and shows the same T-dependence as in s wave pairing.

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Vortex State and Field-Angle Resolved Specific Heat Oscillation for H // ab in d-Wave Superconductors

When magnetic field is applied parallel to the ab plane in d_{x^2-y^2}-wave superconductors, the transition of stable vortex lattice structure, spatial structure of local density of states, and specific heat oscillation by rotation of magnetic field orientation are investigated by quantitative calculations based on the selfconsistent Eilenberger theory. We estimate how the vortex state changes depending on the relative angle between the node-direction of the superconducting gap and magnetic field orientation. To reproduce the sign-change of specific heat oscillation observed in CeCoIn_5, our study is done by including strong paramagnetic effect. The quantitative theoretical calculations give decisive information to analyze the experimental data on the field-angle dependence, and establish the angle-resolved specific heat experiment as a spectroscopic means to identify the node-position of the superconducting gap.

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Generic First Order Orientation Transition of Vortex Lattices in Type II Superconductors

First order transition of vortex lattices (VL) observed in various superconductors with four-fold symmetry is explained microscopically by quasi-classical Eilenberger theory combined with nonlocal London theory. This transition is intrinsic in the generic successive VL phase transition due to either gap or Fermi velocity anisotropies. This is also suggested by the electronic states around vortices. Ultimate origin of this phenomenon is attributed to some what hidden frustrations of a spontaneous symmetry broken hexagonal VL on the underlying four-fold crystalline symmetry.

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Theory of pairing symmetry in Fulde-Ferrell-Larkin-Ovchinnikov vortex state and vortex lattice

We investigate pairing symmetry in the Fulde-Ferrell-Larkin-Ovchinnikov (FFLO) vortex state and vortex lattice, and explain the electronic structure in these states in terms of pairing symmetry. We show analytically that at the intersection point of FFLO nodal plane and vortex line, only even frequency pairing is present if the Zeeman splitting is negligibly small. With increasing Zeeman splitting, odd frequency pairing emerges there. This makes it possible to interpret the gap structure of the density of states at the intersection point as a manifestation of the even frequency pairing. In the vortex lattice, we find that only odd frequency pairing is present at the core centers, while at the midpoint of the vortex lines, only even frequency pairing exists. Thus, the odd and even frequency pairings also form the lattice in the vortex lattice state.

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