Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: The symmetry of superconducting and normal states is at the core of superconductivity research. Emergent electronic nematicity, which spontaneously breaks the rotational symmetry, has been found in the normal state of various types of unconventional superconductors. Here, we exploit the angle-resolved resistivity method to systematically measure the nematicity of the interface superconducting LaAlO 3 / KTaO 3 ( 111 ) ( LAO / KTO ). Compared to the normal state, electronic nematicity is enhanced substantially by superconducting fluctuations around the superconducting temperature T c . More importantly, T c is also anisotropic in plane and angle dependent. The nematicity consists of a dominant C 2 component and a C 4 component, which can be explained by the presence of nematic domains. After the superconductivity is suppressed by a magnetic field, the uncovered quantum metal state manifests significant nematicity that is contributed by residual nematic superconducting fluctuations. A coherent picture of nematic interface superconductivity can be retrieved from the measured nematicity phase diagram that is crucial for the understanding of quantum metal state, electronic nematicity, and interface superconductivity.
Source: Physical Review X
Authors: X. B. Cheng, M. Zhang, Y. Q. Sun, G. F. Chen, M. Qin, T. S. Ren, X. S. Cao, Y. W. Xie, J. Wu
Institutions: Westlake University, Zhejiang University
Language: English
Subfield: Materials Chemistry
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $4,200
OpenAlex ID: W4409497488