Spontaneous Breakdown of Time-Reversal Symmetry Induced by Thermal Fluctuations

Abstract

In systems with broken $U(1)$ symmetry, such as superfluids, superconductors or magnets, the symmetry restoration is driven by proliferation of topological defects in the form of vortex loops. Here we discuss that in certain systems the proliferation of topological defects can, by contrast, lead to the breakdown of an additional symmetry. As a particular example we demonstrate that this effect should take place in $s+is$ superconductors, which are widely discussed in connection with the Iron-based materials. In these systems a vortex excitation can create a "bubble" of fluctuating $Z_2$ order parameter. Thermal excitation of vortices then leads to breakdown of $Z_2$ time-reversal symmetry when the temperature is increased.

5 pages, 3 figures

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• Thermoelectric Signatures of Time-Reversal Symmetry Breaking States in Multiband Superconductors
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• Microscopically derived multi-component Ginzburg-Landau theories for $s+is$ superconducting state
• Phase diagram of dirty two-band superconductors and observability of impurity-induced $s+is$ state
• Effects of intercomponent couplings on the appearance of time-reversal symmetry breaking fermion quadrupling state in two-component London models
• Effective model and Magnetic Properties of the Resistive Electron Quadrupling State
• Vortices and composite order in $\mathrm{SU}(N)$ theories coupled to Abelian gauge field
• Magnetic field behaviour in $s+is$ and $s+id$ superconductors: twisting of applied and spontaneous fields
• Phase transitions and composite order in $\mathrm{U}(1{)}^N$ lattice London models