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Currents induced by magnetic impurities in superconductors with spin-orbit coupling
Sergey S Pershoguba1, Kristofer Björnson2, Annica M Black-Schaffer2
1Nordita, Center for Quantum Materials, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, and Stockholm University, Roslagstullsbacken 23, S-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden.
Physical Review Letters
|September 26, 2015
Summary
Superconducting currents form around magnetic impurities in superconductors with spin-orbit coupling. These currents, carried by Yu-Shiba-Rusinov states, depend on magnetic moment direction and magnitude.
Area of Science:
- Condensed matter physics
- Quantum mechanics
- Materials science
Background:
- Superconductivity is a quantum mechanical phenomenon where a material exhibits zero electrical resistance.
- Magnetic impurities and ferromagnetic materials can significantly alter the properties of superconductors.
- Spin-orbit coupling is a relativistic interaction between a particle's spin and its motion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the generation and properties of superconducting currents around magnetic impurities and ferromagnetic islands.
- To understand the influence of magnetic moment direction and magnitude on these currents.
- To explore the role of Yu-Shiba-Rusinov states in carrying these currents.
Main Methods:
- Ginzburg-Landau theory
- T-matrix approximation
- Self-consistent numerical simulations on a lattice
Main Results:
- Superconducting currents are generated around magnetic impurities and ferromagnetic islands in proximity to superconductors with spin-orbit coupling.
- The generated current strongly depends on the direction and magnitude of the magnetic moment.
- Currents are carried by induced Yu-Shiba-Rusinov (YSR) subgap states, with dramatic increases near phase transitions.
- These currents are orthogonal to the local spin polarization.
Conclusions:
- The study establishes a mechanism for generating superconducting currents mediated by magnetic structures and spin-orbit coupling.
- Yu-Shiba-Rusinov states play a crucial role in mediating these currents, particularly near the superconducting phase transition.
- The orthogonality of currents to spin polarization offers a potential method for experimental probing via spin-polarized local density of states measurements.
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