16 research outputs found
Spin-Rotation Symmetry Breaking in the Superconducting State of CuxBi2Se3
Spontaneous symmetry breaking is an important concept for understanding
physics ranging from the elementary particles to states of matter. For example,
the superconducting state breaks global gauge symmetry, and unconventional
superconductors can break additional symmetries. In particular, spin rotational
symmetry is expected to be broken in spin-triplet superconductors. However,
experimental evidence for such symmetry breaking has not been conclusively
obtained so far in any candidate compounds. Here, by 77Se nuclear magnetic
resonance measurements, we show that spin rotation symmetry is spontaneously
broken in the hexagonal plane of the electron-doped topological insulator
Cu0.3Bi2Se3 below the superconducting transition temperature Tc=3.4 K. Our
results not only establish spin-triplet superconductivity in this compound, but
may also serve to lay a foundation for the research of topological
superconductivity
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