Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

arXiv:1006.3673 · Physical Review A

Superfluid-ferromagnet-superfluid junction and the π phase in a superfluid Fermi gas

Takashi Kashimura, Shunji Tsuchiya, Yoji Ohashi

Published Sep 24, 2010• 4 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

We investigate the possibility of a superfluid-ferromagnet-superfluid (SFS) junction in a superfluid Fermi gas. To examine this possibility in a simple manner, we consider an attractive Hubbard model at $T=0$ within the mean-field theory. When a potential barrier is embedded in a superfluid Fermi gas with population imbalance (${N}_{\ensuremath{\uparrow}}>{N}_{\ensuremath{\downarrow}}$, where ${N}_{\ensuremath{\sigma}}$ is the number of atoms with pseudospin $\ensuremath{\sigma}= \ensuremath{\uparrow}$, $\ensuremath{\downarrow}$), this barrier is shown to be magnetized in the sense that excess $\ensuremath{\uparrow}$-spin atoms are localized around it. The resulting superfluid Fermi gas is spatially divided into two by this ferromagnet, so that one obtains a junction similar to the superconductor-ferromagnet-superconductor junction discussed in superconductivity. Indeed, we show that the so-called $\ensuremath{\pi}$ phase, which is a typical phenomenon in the SFS junction, is realized, where the superfluid order parameter changes its sign across the junction. Our results would be useful for the study of magnetic effects on fermion superfluidity using an ultracold Fermi gas.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.82.033617

Related papers

Superfluid/ferromagnet/superfluid-junction and $π$-phase in a superfluid Fermi gas at finite temperatures

Takashi Kashimura, Shunji Tsuchiya, Yoji Ohashi

We investigate the stability of $π$-phase in a polarized superfluid Fermi gas ($N_\uparrow>N_\downarrow$, where $N_σ$ is the number of atoms in the hyperfine state described by pseudospin-$σ$). In our previous paper [T. Kashimura, S. Tsuchiya, and Y. Ohashi, Phys. Rev. A {\bf 82}, 033617 (2010)], we showed that excess atoms ($ΔN=N_\uparrow-N_\downarrow$) localized around a potential barrier embedded in the system induces the $π$-phase at T=0, where the phase of superfluid order parameter differ by $π$ across the junction. In this paper, we extend our previous work to include temperature effects within the mean-field theory. We show that the $π$-phase is stable even at finite temperatures, although transition from the $π$-phase to 0-phase eventually occurs at a certain temperature. Our results indicate that the $π$-phase is experimentally accessible in cold Fermi gases.

arXiv:1107.0105•Jul 1, 2011•0 citations

π junction and spontaneous current state in a superfluid Fermi gas

Takashi Kashimura, Shunji Tsuchiya, Yoji Ohashi

We discuss an idea to realize a spontaneous current in a superfluid Fermi gas. When a polarized Fermi superfluid (${N}_{\ensuremath{\uparrow}}>{N}_{\ensuremath{\downarrow}}$, where ${N}_{\ensuremath{\sigma}}$ is the number of atoms in the hyperfine state described by pseudospin $\ensuremath{\sigma}=\ensuremath{\uparrow},\ensuremath{\downarrow}$) is loaded onto a ring-shaped trap with a weak potential barrier, some excess atoms ($\ensuremath{\Delta}N={N}_{\ensuremath{\uparrow}}\ensuremath{-}{N}_{\ensuremath{\downarrow}}$) are localized around the barrier. As shown in our previous paper [T. Kashimura, S. Tsuchiya, and Y. Ohashi, Phys. Rev. A 82, 033617 (2010)], this polarized potential barrier works as a $\ensuremath{\pi}$ junction in the sense that the superfluid order parameter changes its sign across the barrier. Because of this, the phase of the superfluid order parameter outside the junction is shown to be twisted by $\ensuremath{\pi}$ along the ring, which naturally leads to a circulating supercurrent. While the ordinary supercurrent state is obtained as a metastable state, this spontaneous current state is shown to be more stable than the case with no current. Our results indicate that localized excess atoms would be useful for the manipulation of the superfluid order parameter in cold Fermi gases.

arXiv:1105.4023•Physical Review A•Jul 20, 2011•4 citations

Superfluid/ferromagnet/superfluid-junction and π-phase in a superfluid Fermi gas at finite temperatures

Takashi Kashimura, Shunji Tsuchiya, Yoji Ohashi

We investigate the stability of π-phase in a polarized superfluid Fermi gas (N↑>; N↓, where Nσis the number of atoms in the hyperfine state described by pseudospin-σ). In our previous paper [T. Kashimura, S. Tsuchiya, and Y. Ohashi, Phys. Rev. A 82, 033617 (2010)], we showed that excess atoms (ΔN = N↑- N↓) localized around a potential barrier embedded in the system induces the π-phase at T = 0, where the phase of superfluid order parameter differ by π across the junction. In this paper, we extend our previous work to include temperature effects within the mean-field theory. We show that the π-phase is stable even at finite temperatures, although transition from the π-phase to 0-phase eventually occurs at a certain temperature. Our results indicate that the π-phase is experimentally accessible in cold Fermi gases.

International Symposium on Access Spaces (ISAS)•Jun 1, 2011•0 citations

Formation of magnetic impurities and pair-breaking effect in a superfluid Fermi gas

Yoji Ohashi

We theoretically investigate the introduction of magnetic impurities into a superfluid Fermi gas. In the presence of a population imbalance (${N}_{\ensuremath{\uparrow}}>{N}_{\ensuremath{\downarrow}}$, where ${N}_{\ensuremath{\sigma}}$ is the number of Fermi atoms with pseudospin $\ensuremath{\sigma}=\ensuremath{\uparrow},\ensuremath{\downarrow}$), we show that nonmagnetic potential scatterers embedded in the system are magnetized in the sense that some of the excess spin-$\ensuremath{\uparrow}$ atoms are localized around them. They destroy the superfluid order parameter around them, as in the case of the magnetic impurity effect discussed in the superconductivity literature. This pair-breaking effect naturally leads to localized excited states below the superfluid excitation gap. To confirm our idea in a simple manner, we consider an attractive Fermi-Hubbard model within the mean-field theory at $T=0$. We determine consistent superfluid properties around a nonmagnetic impurity, such as the superfluid order parameter, local population imbalance, as well as the single-particle density of states, in the presence of a population imbalance. Since competition between superconductivity and magnetism is one of the most fundamental problems in condensed-matter physics, our results would be useful for the study of this important issue in cold Fermi gases.

arXiv:1103.1942•Physical Review A•Jun 10, 2011•12 citations

π-phase and Spontaneous Supercurrent induced by Pseudo-ferromagnetic Junction in a Spin-polarized Superfluid Fermi Gas

Takashi Kashimura, Shunji Tsuchiya, Yoji Ohashi

We theoretically investigate a possible spontaneous current state in a polarized superfluid Fermi gas confined in a toroidal trap. When one puts a weak nonmagnetic potential barrier in this system, this barrier is known to be magnetized in the sense that some of excess ↑-spin atoms are localized around it (where the ↑-spin describes the majority component of the polarized Fermi gas). Using this unique property, we show that this magnetized barrier, or the pseudo-ferromagnetic junction, induces a spontaneous current circulating along the toroidal trap. While the ordinary supercurrent state appears as a metastable state, this spontaneous current state is realized as the most stable state, originating from the phase twist of the superfluid order parameter by the magnetized potential barrier.

Journal of Physics Conference Series•Dec 17, 2012•0 citations

Two-dimensional Fermi gas in antiparallel magnetic fields

Takaaki Anzai, Yusuke Nishida

We study a two-dimensional Fermi gas with an attractive interaction subjected to synthetic magnetic fields assumed to be mutually antiparallel for two different spin components. By employing the mean-field approximation, we find that its phase diagram at zero temperature consists of pair superfluid and quantum spin Hall insulator phases and closely resembles that of the Bose-Hubbard model. The resulting two phases are separated by a second-order quantum phase transition classified into the universality class of either the dilute Bose gas or the $XY$ model. We also show that the pairing gap can be enhanced significantly by the antiparallel magnetic fields as a consequence of magnetic catalysis, which may facilitate the realization of the pair superfluid in two dimensions by ultracold atom experiments.

arXiv:1701.07624•Physical Review A•May 25, 2017•4 citations
We investigate the possibility of a superfluid-ferromagnet-superfluid (SFS) junction in a superfluid Fermi gas. To examine this possibility in a simple manner, we consider an attractive Hubbard model at T=0T=0T=0 within the mean-field theory. When a potential barrier is embedded in a superfluid Fermi gas with population imbalance (N\ensuremath↑>N\ensuremath↓{N}_{\ensuremath{\uparrow}}>{N}_{\ensuremath{\downarrow}}N\ensuremath↑​>N\ensuremath↓​, where N\ensuremathσ{N}_{\ensuremath{\sigma}}N\ensuremathσ​ is the number of atoms with pseudospin \ensuremathσ=\ensuremath↑\ensuremath{\sigma}= \ensuremath{\uparrow}\ensuremathσ=\ensuremath↑, \ensuremath↓\ensuremath{\downarrow}\ensuremath↓), this barrier is shown to be magnetized in the sense that excess \ensuremath↑\ensuremath{\uparrow}\ensuremath↑-spin atoms are localized around it. The resulting superfluid Fermi gas is spatially divided into two by this ferromagnet, so that one obtains a junction similar to the superconductor-ferromagnet-superconductor junction discussed in superconductivity. Indeed, we show that the so-called \ensuremathπ\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremathπ phase, which is a typical phenomenon in the SFS junction, is realized, where the superfluid order parameter changes its sign across the junction. Our results would be useful for the study of magnetic effects on fermion superfluidity using an ultracold Fermi gas.
Superfluid/ferromagnet/superfluid-junction and πππ-phase in a superfluid Fermi gas at finite temperatures
We investigate the stability of πππ-phase in a polarized superfluid Fermi gas (N↑>N↓N_\uparrow>N_\downarrowN↑​>N↓​, where NσN_σNσ​ is the number of atoms in the hyperfine state described by pseudospin-σσσ). In our previous paper [T. Kashimura, S. Tsuchiya, and Y. Ohashi, Phys. Rev. A {\bf 82}, 033617 (2010)], we showed that excess atoms (ΔN=N↑−N↓ΔN=N_\uparrow-N_\downarrowΔN=N↑​−N↓​) localized around a potential barrier embedded in the system induces the πππ-phase at T=0, where the phase of superfluid order parameter differ by πππ across the junction. In this paper, we extend our previous work to include temperature effects within the mean-field theory. We show that the πππ-phase is stable even at finite temperatures, although transition from the πππ-phase to 0-phase eventually occurs at a certain temperature. Our results indicate that the πππ-phase is experimentally accessible in cold Fermi gases.
We discuss an idea to realize a spontaneous current in a superfluid Fermi gas. When a polarized Fermi superfluid (${N}_{\ensuremath{\uparrow}}>{N}_{\ensuremath{\downarrow}}$, where ${N}_{\ensuremath{\sigma}}$ is the number of atoms in the hyperfine state described by pseudospin $\ensuremath{\sigma}=\ensuremath{\uparrow},\ensuremath{\downarrow}$) is loaded onto a ring-shaped trap with a weak potential barrier, some excess atoms ($\ensuremath{\Delta}N={N}_{\ensuremath{\uparrow}}\ensuremath{-}{N}_{\ensuremath{\downarrow}}$) are localized around the barrier. As shown in our previous paper [T. Kashimura, S. Tsuchiya, and Y. Ohashi, Phys. Rev. A 82, 033617 (2010)], this polarized potential barrier works as a $\ensuremath{\pi}$ junction in the sense that the superfluid order parameter changes its sign across the barrier. Because of this, the phase of the superfluid order parameter outside the junction is shown to be twisted by $\ensuremath{\pi}$ along the ring, which naturally leads to a circulating supercurrent. While the ordinary supercurrent state is obtained as a metastable state, this spontaneous current state is shown to be more stable than the case with no current. Our results indicate that localized excess atoms would be useful for the manipulation of the superfluid order parameter in cold Fermi gases.
We investigate the stability of π-phase in a polarized superfluid Fermi gas (N↑>; N↓, where Nσis the number of atoms in the hyperfine state described by pseudospin-σ). In our previous paper [T. Kashimura, S. Tsuchiya, and Y. Ohashi, Phys. Rev. A 82, 033617 (2010)], we showed that excess atoms (ΔN = N↑- N↓) localized around a potential barrier embedded in the system induces the π-phase at T = 0, where the phase of superfluid order parameter differ by π across the junction. In this paper, we extend our previous work to include temperature effects within the mean-field theory. We show that the π-phase is stable even at finite temperatures, although transition from the π-phase to 0-phase eventually occurs at a certain temperature. Our results indicate that the π-phase is experimentally accessible in cold Fermi gases.
We theoretically investigate the introduction of magnetic impurities into a superfluid Fermi gas. In the presence of a population imbalance (${N}_{\ensuremath{\uparrow}}>{N}_{\ensuremath{\downarrow}}$, where ${N}_{\ensuremath{\sigma}}$ is the number of Fermi atoms with pseudospin $\ensuremath{\sigma}=\ensuremath{\uparrow},\ensuremath{\downarrow}$), we show that nonmagnetic potential scatterers embedded in the system are magnetized in the sense that some of the excess spin-$\ensuremath{\uparrow}$ atoms are localized around them. They destroy the superfluid order parameter around them, as in the case of the magnetic impurity effect discussed in the superconductivity literature. This pair-breaking effect naturally leads to localized excited states below the superfluid excitation gap. To confirm our idea in a simple manner, we consider an attractive Fermi-Hubbard model within the mean-field theory at T=0T=0T=0. We determine consistent superfluid properties around a nonmagnetic impurity, such as the superfluid order parameter, local population imbalance, as well as the single-particle density of states, in the presence of a population imbalance. Since competition between superconductivity and magnetism is one of the most fundamental problems in condensed-matter physics, our results would be useful for the study of this important issue in cold Fermi gases.
We theoretically investigate a possible spontaneous current state in a polarized superfluid Fermi gas confined in a toroidal trap. When one puts a weak nonmagnetic potential barrier in this system, this barrier is known to be magnetized in the sense that some of excess ↑-spin atoms are localized around it (where the ↑-spin describes the majority component of the polarized Fermi gas). Using this unique property, we show that this magnetized barrier, or the pseudo-ferromagnetic junction, induces a spontaneous current circulating along the toroidal trap. While the ordinary supercurrent state appears as a metastable state, this spontaneous current state is realized as the most stable state, originating from the phase twist of the superfluid order parameter by the magnetized potential barrier.
We study a two-dimensional Fermi gas with an attractive interaction subjected to synthetic magnetic fields assumed to be mutually antiparallel for two different spin components. By employing the mean-field approximation, we find that its phase diagram at zero temperature consists of pair superfluid and quantum spin Hall insulator phases and closely resembles that of the Bose-Hubbard model. The resulting two phases are separated by a second-order quantum phase transition classified into the universality class of either the dilute Bose gas or the XYXYXY model. We also show that the pairing gap can be enhanced significantly by the antiparallel magnetic fields as a consequence of magnetic catalysis, which may facilitate the realization of the pair superfluid in two dimensions by ultracold atom experiments.