Raising the Critical Temperature by Disorder in Unconventional Superconductors Mediated by Spin Fluctuations

Astrid T. Rømer, P. J. Hirschfeld, and Brian M. Andersen
Phys. Rev. Lett. 121, 027002 – Published 11 July 2018
PDFHTMLExport Citation

Abstract

We propose a mechanism whereby disorder can enhance the transition temperature Tc of an unconventional superconductor with pairing driven by exchange of spin fluctuations. The theory is based on a self-consistent real space treatment of pairing in the disordered one-band Hubbard model. It has been demonstrated before that impurities can enhance pairing by softening the spin fluctuations locally; here, we consider the competing effect of pair breaking by the screened Coulomb potential also present. We show that, depending on the impurity potential strength and proximity to magnetic order, this mechanism results in a weakening of the disorder-dependent Tc-suppression rate expected from Abrikosov-Gor’kov theory, or even in disorder-generated Tc enhancements.

  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Received 21 December 2017

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.121.027002

© 2018 American Physical Society

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

Condensed Matter, Materials & Applied Physics

Authors & Affiliations

Astrid T. Rømer1, P. J. Hirschfeld2, and Brian M. Andersen1

  • 1Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, Juliane Maries Vej 30, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
  • 2Department of Physics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, USA

Article Text (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

Supplemental Material (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 121, Iss. 2 — 13 July 2018

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
CHORUS

Article Available via CHORUS

Download Accepted Manuscript
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review Letters

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×