Two-gap superconductivity in LaNiGa${}_2$ with non-unitary triplet pairing and even parity gap symmetry

Abstract

The nature of the pairing states of superconducting LaNiC${}_2$ and LaNiGa${}_2$ has to date remained a puzzling question. Broken time reversal symmetry has been observed in both compounds and a group theoretical analysis implies a non-unitary triplet pairing state. However all the allowed non-unitary triplet states have nodal gap functions but most thermodynamic and NMR measurements indicate fully gapped superconductivity in LaNiC${}_2$. Here we probe the gap symmetry of LaNiGa${}_2$ by measuring the London penetration depth, specific heat and upper critical field. These measurements demonstrate two-gap nodeless superconductivity in LaNiGa${}_2$, suggesting that this is a common feature of both compounds. These results allow us to propose a novel triplet superconducting state, where the pairing occurs between electrons of the same spin, but on different orbitals. In this case the superconducting wavefunction has a triplet spin component but isotropic even parity gap symmetry, yet the overall wavefunction remains antisymmetric under particle exchange. This model leads to a nodeless two-gap superconducting state which breaks time reversal symmetry, and therefore accounts well for the seemingly contradictory experimental results.

arXiv comment5 pages, 4 figures

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