Development of Density-Functional Theory for Plasmon-Assisted Superconducting State: Application to Lithium Under High Pressures

We extend the density-functional theory for superconductors (SCDFT) to take account of the dynamical structure of the screened Coulomb interaction. We construct an exchange-correlation kernel in the SCDFT gap equation on the basis of the random-phase approximation, where electronic collective excitations such as plasmons are properly treated. Through an application to fcc lithium under high pressures, we demonstrate that our new kernel gives higher transition temperatures (Tc) when the plasmon and phonon cooperatively mediate pairing and it improves the agreement between the calculated and experimentally observed Tc. The present formalism opens the door to non-empirical studies on unconventional electron mechanisms of superconductivity based on density functional theory.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, title has been changed from that of the previously uploaded version for publication in Phys. Rev. Let

Exotic pairing state in quasicrystalline superconductors under magnetic field

We theoretically study the effect of a magnetic field on quasicrystalline superconductors, by modelling them as the attractive Hubbard model on the Penrose-tiling structure. We find that at low temperatures and under a high magnetic field there appears an exotic superconducting state with the order parameter changing its sign in real space. We discuss the state in comparison with the Fulde-Ferrell-Larkin-Ovchinnikov state proposed many years ago for periodic systems, clarifying commonalities and differences. It is remarkable that, even in the absence of periodicity, the electronic system finds a way to keep a coherent superconducting state with a spatially sign-changing order parameter compatible with the underlying quasiperiodic structure.Comment: 7 pages, 8 figure

Density Functional Theory for Plasmon-Assisted Superconductivity

We review the recent progress in the density functional theory for superconductors (SCDFT). Motivated by the long-studied plasmon mechanism of superconductivity, we have constructed an exchange-correlation kernel entering the SCDFT gap equation which includes the plasmon effect. For the case of lithium under high pressures, we show that the plasmon effect substantially enhances the transition temperature (Tc) by cooperating with the conventional phonon mechanism and results in a better agreement between the theoretical and experimentally observed Tc. Our present formalism will be a first step to density functional theory for unconventional superconductors.Comment: 9 pages, 7 figures; accepted for publication in J. Phys. Soc. Jpn. Special Topics; conference proceedings of The International Conference on Strongly Correlated Electron Systems (SCES) 201

Ab initio Derivation of Correlated Superatom Model for Potassium Loaded Zeolite A

We derive an effective low-energy Hamiltonian for potassium loaded zeolite A, a unique ferromagnet from non-magnetic elements. We perform ab initio density functional calculations and construct maximally localized Wannier functions for low-energy states made from potassium s electrons. The resulting Wannier orbitals, spreading widely in the alminosilicate cage, are found to be the superatomic s and p orbitals in the confining potential formed by the host cage. We then make a tight-binding model for these superatomic orbitals and introduce interaction parameters such as the Hubbard U. After mean-field calculations for the effective model, we find that ab initio spin density functional results are well reproduced by choosing appropriate sets of the interaction parameters. The interaction parameters turn out to be as large as the band width, $\sim$ 0.5 eV, indicating the importance of electron correlation, and that the present system is an interesting analog of correlated multi-orbital transition metal oxides.Comment: 9 pages, 6 figures, and the top margin was adjuste

Phase diagram and Gap anisotropy in Iron-Pnictide Superconductors

Using the fluctuation-exchange (FLEX) approximation we study an effective five-band Hubbard model for iron-pnictide superconductors obtained from the first-principles band structure. We preclude deformations of the Fermi surface due to electronic correlations by introducing a static potential, which mimics the effect of charge relaxation. Evaluating the Eliashberg equation for various dopings and interaction parameters, we find that superconductivity can sustain higher hole than electron doping. Analyzing the symmetry of the superconducting order parameter we observe clear differences between the hole and electron doped systems. We discuss the importance of the pnictogen height for superconductivity. Finally, we dissect the pairing interaction into various contributions, which allows us to clarify the relationship between the superconducting transition temperature and the proximity to the anti-ferromagnetic phase.Comment: 15 pages, 15 figure