Phase transitions in superconductor liquid crystals

Abstract

We study properties of phase transitions of 2D superconductor liquid crystal phases, and analyze the competition between the recently proposed Pair Density Wave (PDW) and nematic $4e$ superconductor ($4e$SC). Nematic fluctuations enhance the $4e$SC and suppress the PDW phase. In the absence of lattice effects, the PDW state exists only at T=0 and the low temperature phase is a nematic $4e$SC with short ranged PDW order. A geometric description of the $4e$ SC is presented.

4 pages, 3 figures. Edited file with a new discussion on quasiparticle behavior in the charge 4e nematic superconductor. To appear in Physical Review B Rapid Communications

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