Tunneling currents in ferromagnetic systems with multiple broken symmetries

SHORTENED ABSTRACT: A system exhibiting multiple simultaneously broken symmetries offers the opportunity to influence physical phenomena such as tunneling currents by means of external control parameters. In this paper, we consider the broken SU(2) (internal spin) symmetry of ferromagnetic systems coexisting with \textit{i)} the broken U(1) symmetry of superconductors and \textit{ii)} the broken spatial inversion symmetry induced by a Rashba term in a spin-orbit coupling Hamiltonian. In order to study the effect of these broken symmetries, we consider tunneling currents that arise in two different systems; tunneling junctions consisting of non-unitary spin-triplet ferromagnetic superconductors and junctions consisting of ferromagnets with spin-orbit coupling.Comment: Accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.

Thermodynamic Properties near the onset of Loop-Current Order in high-TcT_c superconducting cuprates

We have performed large-scale Monte Carlo simulations on a two-dimensional generalized Ashkin-Teller model to calculate the thermodynamic properties in the critical region near its transitions. The Ashkin-Teller model has a pair of Ising spins at each site which interact with neighboring spins through pair-wise and 4-spin interactions. The model represents the interactions between orbital current loops in $Cu O_2$-plaquettes of high-$T_c$ cuprates, which order with a staggered magnetization \Mso inside each unit-cell in the underdoped region of the phase diagram below a temperature $T^*(x)$ which depends on doping. The pair of Ising spins per unit-cell represent the directions of the currents in the links of the current loops. The generalizations are the inclusion of anisotropy in the pair-wise nearest neighbor current-current couplings consistent with the symmetries of a square lattice and the next nearest neighbor pair-wise couplings. We use the Binder cumulant to estimate the correlation length exponent $\nu$ and the order parameter exponent $\beta$. Our principal results are that in a range of parameters, the Ashkin-Teller model as well as its generalization has an order parameter susceptibility which diverges as $T \to T^*$ and an order parameter below $T^*$. Importantly, however, there is no divergence in the specific heat. This puts the properties of the model in accord with the experimental results in the underdoped cuprates. We also calculate the magnitude of the "bump" in the specific heat in the critical region to put limits on its observability. Finally, we show that the staggered magnetization couples to the uniform magnetization $M_0$ such that the latter has a weak singularity at $T^*$ and also displays a wide critical region, also in accord with recent experiments.Comment: 14 pages, 19 figures, to appear in Physical Review

Origin and control of spin currents in a magnetic triplet Josephson junction

We study the appearance of a Josephson spin current in a model triplet superconductor junction with a magnetically-active tunnelling barrier. We find three distinct mechanisms for producing a spin current, and we provide a detailed discussion of the symmetry properties and the physical origins of each. By combining these three basic mechanisms, we find that it is possible to exercise fine control over the spin currents. In particular, we show that unlike the charge current, the spin currents on either side of the barrier need not be identical.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, RevTe

Superconducting spintronics

The interaction between superconducting and spin-polarized orders has recently emerged as a major research field following a series of fundamental breakthroughs in charge transport in superconductor-ferromagnet heterodevices which promise new device functionality. Traditional studies which combine spintronics and superconductivity have mainly focused on the injection of spin-polarized quasiparticles into superconducting materials. However, a complete synergy between superconducting and magnetic orders turns out to be possible through the creation of spin-triplet Cooper pairs which are generated at carefully engineered superconductor interfaces with ferromagnetic materials. Currently, there is intense activity focused on identifying materials combinations which merge superconductivity and spintronics in order to enhance device functionality and performance. The results look promising: it has been shown, for example, that superconducting order can greatly enhance central effects in spintronics such as spin injection and magnetoresistance. Here, we review the experimental and theoretical advances in this field and provide an outlook for upcoming challenges related to the new concept of superconducting spintronics.J.L. was supported by the Research Council of Norway, Grants No. 205591 and 216700. J.W.A.R. was supported by the UK Royal Society and the Leverhulme Trust through an International Network Grant (IN-2013-033).This is the accepted manuscript. The final version is available at http://www.nature.com/nphys/journal/v11/n4/full/nphys3242.html