Spin-triplet superconductivity driven by finite-momentum spin fluctuations

A small number of superconductors are believed to exhibit intrinsic spin-triplet pairing, and they are often discussed in terms of a simple, He-3-like picture where ferromagnetic spin fluctuations provide the glue. However, in some cases in which reliable inelastic neutron scattering measurements are available, spin excitations are found to be peaked at finite momentum q rather than q = 0. Here we investigate some simple models that exhibit triplet pairing arising from antiferromagnetic spin fluctuations. We show that a strong peak at larger q in the magnetic susceptibility can drive such states and can give rise to pairing states with nodes in the k(z) plane even in the presence of a pure two-dimensional Fermi surface. In these situations, dominant pair scattering processes occur between Fermi surface segments with like signs of the superconducting order parameter, yet they are consistent with an overall odd-parity state. We examine the applicability of these scenarios to the putative triplet superconductor UTe2.

Automated summary

Some superconductors may exhibit intrinsic spin-triplet pairing driven by antiferromagnetic spin fluctuations. This study investigates simple models and finds that a strong peak in magnetic susceptibility at larger momentum can give rise to pairing states with nodes on the two-dimensional Fermi surface.