New critical behavior in unconventional ferromagnetic superconductors

New critical behavior in unconventional superconductors and superfluids is established and described by the Wilson-Fisher renormalization-group method. For certain ordering symmetries a new type of fluctuation-driven first order phase transitions at finite and zero temperature are predicted. The results can be applied to a wide class of ferromagnetic superconducting and superfluid systems, in particular, to itinerant ferromagnets as UGe2 and URhGe.Comment: 12 pages, 6 fig

General two-order-parameter Ginzburg-Landau model with quadratic and quartic interactions

Ginzburg-Landau model with two order parameters appears in many condensed-matter problems. However, even for scalar order parameters, the most general U(1)-symmetric Landau potential with all quadratic and quartic terms contains 13 independent coefficients and cannot be minimized with straightforward algebra. Here, we develop a geometric approach that circumvents this computational difficulty and allows one to study properties of the model without knowing the exact position of the minimum. In particular, we find the number of minima of the potential, classify explicit symmetries possible in this model, establish conditions when and how these symmetries are spontaneously broken, and explicitly describe the phase diagram.Comment: 36 pages, 7 figures; v2: added additional clarifications and a discussion on how this method differs from the MIB-approac

Geometric invariant theory approach to the determination of ground states of D-wave condensates in isotropic space

A complete and rigorous determination of the possible ground states for D-wave pairing Bose condensates is presented, using a geometrical invariant theory approach to the problem. The order parameter is argued to be a vector, transforming according to a ten dimensional real representation of the group $G=${\bf O}$_3\otimes${\bf U}$_1\times$. We determine the equalities and inequalities defining the orbit space of this linear group and its symmetry strata, which are in a one-to-one correspondence with the possible distinct phases of the system. We find 15 allowed phases (besides the unbroken one), with different symmetries, that we thoroughly determine. The group-subgroup relations between bordering phases are pointed out. The perturbative sixth degree corrections to the minimum of a fourth degree polynomial $G$-invariant free energy, calculated by Mermin, are also determined.Comment: 27 revtex pages, 2 figures, use of texdraw; minor changes in the bibliography and in Table II

Phenomenological theory of phase transitions in highly piezoelectric perovskites

Recently discovered fine structure of the morphotropic phase boundaries in highly piezoelectric mixture compounds PZT, PMN-PT, and PZN-PT demonstrates the importance of highly non-linear interactions in these systems. We show that an adequate Landau-type description of the ferroelectric phase transitions in these compounds is achieved by the use of a twelfth-order expansion of the Landau potential in terms of the phenomenological order parameter. Group-theoretical and catastrophe-theory methods are used in constructing the appropriate Landau potential. A complete phase diagram is calculated in phenomenological parameter space. The theory describes both PZT and PZN-PT types of phase diagrams, including the newly found monoclinic and orthorhombic phases. Anomalously large piezoelectric coefficients are predicted in the vicinity of the phase transition lines.Comment: RevTex4, 8 pages, 2 figures. Dramatically changed after referees' Comments, to appear in Phys. Rev. B, 1 April 200

Meissner phases in spin-triplet ferromagnetic superconductors

We present new results for the properties of phases and phase transitions in spin-triplet ferromagnetic superconductors. The superconductivity of the mixed phase of coexistence of ferromagnetism and unconventional superconductivity is triggered by the presence of spontaneous magnetization. The mixed phase is stable but the other superconducting phases that usually exist in unconventional superconductors are either unstable or for particular values of the parameters of the theory some of them are metastable at relatively low temperatures in a quite narrow domain of the phase diagram. Phase transitions from the normal phase to the phase of coexistence is of first order while the phase transition from the ferromagnetic phase to the coexistence phase can be either of first or second order depending on the concrete substance. Cooper pair and crystal anisotropies determine a more precise outline of the phase diagram shape and reduce the degeneration of ground states of the system but they do not change drastically phase stability domains and thermodynamic properties of the respective phases. The results are discussed in view of application to metallic ferromagnets as UGe2, ZrZn2, URhGe.Comment: 21 pages, 7 figures; Phys. Rev. B (2005) in pres

Symmetry properties of the nodal superconductor PrOs4Sb12

We present a theoretical study of the superconducting gap function in PrOs4Sb12 using a symmetry-based approach. A three-component order parameter in the triplet channel best describes superconductivity. The gap function is non-degenerate and the lower branch has four cusp nodes at unusual points of the Fermi surface, which lead to power law behaviours in the density of states, specific heat and nuclear spin relaxation rate.Comment: to appear in Phys. Rev. B 7

Landau Theory of Domain Wall Magnetoelectricity

We calculate the exact analytical solution to the domain wall properties in a multiferroic system with two order parameters that are coupled bi-quadratically. This is then adapted to the case of a magnetoelectric multiferroic material such as BiFeO3, with a view to examine critically whether the domain walls can account for the enhancement of magnetization reported for thin films fo this material, in view of the correlation between increasing magnetization and increasing volume fraction of domain walls as films become thinner. The present analysis can be generalized to describe a class of magnetoelectric devices based upon domain walls rather than bulk properties.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figure

Microcanonical entropy for small magnetisations

Physical quantities obtained from the microcanonical entropy surfaces of classical spin systems show typical features of phase transitions already in finite systems. It is demonstrated that the singular behaviour of the microcanonically defined order parameter and susceptibility can be understood from a Taylor expansion of the entropy surface. The general form of the expansion is determined from the symmetry properties of the microcanonical entropy function with respect to the order parameter. The general findings are investigated for the four-state vector Potts model as an example of a classical spin system.Comment: 15 pages, 7 figure

Spin Dynamics in the Magnetoelectric Effect LiCoPO4_4 Compound

Inelastic neutron scattering (INS) experiments were performed to investigate the spin dynamics in magnetoelectric effect (ME) LiCoPO$_4$ single crystals. Weak dispersion was detected in the magnetic excitation spectra along the three principal crystallographic axes measured around the (0 1 0) magnetic reflection. Analysis of the data using linear spin-wave theory indicate that single-ion anisotropy in LiCoPO$_4$ is as important as the strongest nearest-neighbor exchange coupling. Our results suggest that Co$^{2+}$ single-ion anisotropy plays an important role in the spin dynamics of LiCoPO$_4$ and must be taken into account in understanding its physical properties. High resolution INS measurements reveal an anomalous low energy excitation that we hypothesize may be related to the magnetoelectric effect of LiCoPO$_4$.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figures, accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.