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Theory of the nonlinear susceptibility of layered superconductors: application to strontium ruthenate

ORAL

Abstract

Probing superconducting fluctuations (SF) in unconventional superconductors is essential to elucidate their nature. Much work has been done to elucidate the contributions from SF to the conductivity and the linear susceptibility. Disentangling them from normal state contributions can be challenging. An alternative that has been recently explored is to measure the nonlinear susceptibility via third-order magnetic response, which is believed to be dominated by SF above Tc. Here, we present a phenomenological theoretical model for the nonlinear susceptibility of layered superconductors. Our model, based on the Lawrence-Doniach functional, predicts power-law behaviors in distinct temperature and magnetic field regimes. Comparison with data from conventional BCS superconductors reveals an excellent agreement between theory and experiment. The same does not happen, however, for oxide superconductors, such as the strontium ruthenate Sr2RuO4 [D Pelc et al., Nat. Commun. 10, 2729 (2019)]. We show that inclusion of disorder can capture some of the experimental features. Finally, we discuss the limitations and possible extensions of our model.

Presenters

  • Fei Chen

    University of Minnesota

Authors

  • Fei Chen

    University of Minnesota

  • Damjan Pelc

    School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Minnesota, University of Minnesota, University of Zagreb, Department of Physics, University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science

  • Martin Greven

    School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Minnesota, University of Minnesota, School of Physics & Astronomy, University of Minnesota

  • Rafael Fernandes

    University of Minnesota, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Minnesota, Physics, University of Minnesota, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, 55455 MN, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis