CMT93

Local Time-Reversal Symmetry Breaking in d_x²-y² Superconductors

Abstract: We show that an isolated impurity in a spin singlet d_x²-y² superconductor generates a d_xy order parameter with locally broken time-reversal symmetry. The origin of this effect is a coupling between the d_x²-y² and the d_xy order parameters induced by spin-orbit scattering off the impurity. The signature of locally broken time-reversal symmetry is an induced orbital charge current near the impurity, which generates a localized magnetic field in the vicinity of the impurity. We present a microscopic theory for the impurity induced d_xy component, discuss its spatial structure as well as the pattern of induced current and local magnetic field near the localized impurity spin.

Eprint: [PDF] [PS] [arXiv]

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