Charge-$2e$ Skyrmion condensate in a hidden order state

Abstract

A higher angular momentum ($\ell =2$) $d$-density wave, a mixed triplet and a singlet, interestingly, admits skyrmionic textures. The Skyrmions carry charge $2e$ and can condense into a spin-singlet s-wave superconducting state. In addition, a charge current can be induced by a time-dependent inhomogeneous spin texture, leading to quantized charge pumping. The quantum phase transition between this mixed triplet $d$-density wave and skyrmionic superconducting condensate likely leads to deconfined quantum critical points. We suggest connections of this exotic state to electronic materials that are strongly correlated, such as the heavy fermion $\mathrm{UR}{\mathrm{u}}_2\mathrm{S}{\mathrm{i}}_2$. At the very least, we provide a concrete example in which topological order and broken symmetry are intertwined, which can give rise to non-BCS superconductivity.

11 pages, added a new appendix for the derivation of the non-linear sigma model

References in corpus (6)

• "Deconfined" quantum critical points
• Quantum criticality beyond the Landau-Ginzburg-Wilson paradigm
• Topological Mott Insulators
• Topological Insulators and Nematic Phases from Spontaneous Symmetry Breaking in 2D Fermi Systems with a Quadratic Band Crossing
• Rotational Symmetry Breaking in the Hidden-Order Phase of URu2Si2
• Deconfined criticality, runaway flow in the two-component scalar electrodynamics and weak first-order superfluid-solid transitions