Supercurrent effect in a charge density wave intertwined superconductor

Area of Science:

• Condensed matter physics
• Quantum materials
• Superconductivity

Background:

• The energy-momentum (E-k) dispersion of quasiparticles is fundamental in condensed matter.
• Supercurrents can modify E-k dispersion, influencing quantum properties.
• The interplay between supercurrents and charge orders is underexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how Meissner currents affect Bogoliubov quasiparticle excitations in superconductors with precursor charge density waves (CDWs).
• To explore the possibility of tailoring emergent electronic phases through momentum-space engineering.

Main Methods:

• Scanning tunneling spectroscopic imaging was used to observe quasiparticle excitations.
• Applied in-plane magnetic fields generated Meissner currents.
• Model calculations were performed to understand the observed phenomena.

Main Results:

• Meissner currents were found to tailor Bogoliubov quasiparticle excitations at CDW vectors.
• A field-driven symmetry breaking (C3v to Cs transition) of CDW modulations in superconducting NbSe2 was observed.
• Anisotropy in CDW modulations was linked to selective Doppler-shift-induced E-k dispersion reconstruction.

Conclusions:

• Meissner currents offer a novel mechanism to control emergent electronic phases in superconductors.
• On-demand tuning of anisotropic CDW modulations is achievable by altering magnetic field direction.
• Momentum-space engineering provides a pathway to manipulate complex electronic states.