Odd-parity superconductivity in Sr2RuO4.

Nelson, K D; Mao, Z Q; Maeno, Y; Liu, Y · Science · 2004

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Phase-sensitive measurements were made on Sr2RuO4 to establish unambiguously the odd-parity pairing in this material. The critical current of Au(0.5)In(0.5)-Sr2RuO4 superconducting quantum interference devices prepared on Sr2RuO4 single crystals was found to be a maximum for devices with junctions on the same side of the crystal and a minimum for devices with junctions on opposite sides, in the limit of zero magnetic flux; these findings indicate that the phase of the superconducting order parameter in Sr2RuO4 changes by pi under inversion. This result verifies the odd-parity pairing symmetry and the formation of spin-triplet Cooper pairs in Sr2RuO4.