Twofold symmetry of c-axis resistivity in topological kagome superconductor CsV3Sb5 with in-plane rotating magnetic field

The recently discovered class of kagome metals AV(3)Sb(5), where A stands for K, Rb, Cs, has been shown to host a variety of exotic phases. Here, the authors report the two-fold rotational symmetry of superconductivity and signatures of an in-plane nematic electronic state in CsV3Sb5 under in-plane magnetic field. In transition metal compounds, due to the interplay of charge, spin, lattice and orbital degrees of freedom, many intertwined orders exist with close energies. One of the commonly observed states is the so-called nematic electron state, which breaks the in-plane rotational symmetry. This nematic state appears in cuprates, iron-based superconductor, etc. Nematicity may coexist, affect, cooperate or compete with other orders. Here we show the anisotropic in-plane electronic state and superconductivity in a recently discovered kagome metal CsV3Sb5 by measuring c-axis resistivity with the in-plane rotation of magnetic field. We observe a twofold symmetry of superconductivity in the superconducting state and a unique in-plane nematic electronic state in normal state when rotating the in-plane magnetic field. Interestingly these two orders are orthogonal to each other in terms of the field direction of the minimum resistivity. Our results shed new light in understanding non-trivial physical properties of CsV3Sb5.

Automated summary

The authors report the two-fold rotational symmetry of superconductivity and signatures of an in-plane nematic electronic state in CsV3Sb5 under in-plane magnetic field. Interestingly, the two orders of superconductivity and nematic electronic state are orthogonal to each other in terms of the field direction of the minimum resistivity, shedding new light on understanding the physical properties of CsV3Sb5.