We consider a localized impurity atom that interacts with a cloud of fermions in the paired state. We develop an effective scattering length description of the interaction between an impurity and a fermionic atom using their vacuum scattering length. Treating the pairing of fermions at the mean-field level, we show that the impurity atom acts like a magnetic impurity in the condensed matter context, and leads to the formation of a pair of Shiba bound states inside the superconducting gap. In addition, the impurity atom can lead to the formation of deeply bound states below the Fermi sea.We consider a localized impurity atom that interacts with a cloud of fermions in the paired state. We develop an effective scattering length description of the interaction between an impurity and a fermionic atom using their vacuum scattering length. Treating the pairing of fermions at the mean-field level, we show that the impurity atom acts like a magnetic impurity in the condensed matter context, and leads to the formation of a pair of Shiba bound states inside the superconducting gap. In addition, the impurity atom can lead to the formation of deeply bound states below the Fermi sea.

Bulletin of the American Physical SocietyMar 25, 20110 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.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:1103.1942Physical Review AJun 10, 201112 citations

Classical magnetic impurity in ultracold fermi superfluids

Lei Jiang, Leslie O. Baksmaty, Han Pu +2 more

In cold atom experiments, we have tools to create spin dependent optical potential, which gives us the possibility to achieve classical magnetic impurity in cold atom systems. Here we study the physics of magnetic impurity. A localized magnetic impurity can induce a mid-gap bound state, the Yu-Shiba state, in superfluid Fermi gas. We propose a modified RF spectroscopy to measure the local density of states, as a cold-atom analog of STM, which may be used to detect Yu-Shiba state. In addition, magnetic impurity can locally induce population imbalance in the system, potentially providing a method to realize FFLO-like state in a controlled way. We demonstrate such a possibility by solving the self-consist Bogoliubov-de Gennes equations.In cold atom experiments, we have tools to create spin dependent optical potential, which gives us the possibility to achieve classical magnetic impurity in cold atom systems. Here we study the physics of magnetic impurity. A localized magnetic impurity can induce a mid-gap bound state, the Yu-Shiba state, in superfluid Fermi gas. We propose a modified RF spectroscopy to measure the local density of states, as a cold-atom analog of STM, which may be used to detect Yu-Shiba state. In addition, magnetic impurity can locally induce population imbalance in the system, potentially providing a method to realize FFLO-like state in a controlled way. We demonstrate such a possibility by solving the self-consist Bogoliubov-de Gennes equations.

Bulletin of the American Physical SocietyJun 15, 20110 citations

Mobile Magnetic Impurities in a Fermi Superfluid: A Route to Designer Molecules

Sarang Gopalakrishnan, Colin Parker, Eugene Demler

A magnetic impurity in a fermionic superfluid hosts bound quasiparticle states known as Yu-Shiba-Rusinov states. We argue here that, if the impurity is mobile (i.e., has a finite mass), the impurity and its bound Yu-Shiba-Rusinov quasiparticle move together as a midgap molecule, which has an unusual "Mexican-hat" dispersion that is tunable via the fermion density. We map out the impurity dispersion, which consists of an "atomic" branch (in which the impurity is dressed by quasiparticle pairs) and a "molecular" branch (in which the impurity binds a quasiparticle). We discuss the experimental realization and detection of midgap Shiba molecules, focusing on Li-Cs mixtures, and comment on the prospects they offer for realizing exotic many-body states.A magnetic impurity in a fermionic superfluid hosts bound quasiparticle states known as Yu-Shiba-Rusinov states. We argue here that, if the impurity is mobile (i.e., has a finite mass), the impurity and its bound Yu-Shiba-Rusinov quasiparticle move together as a midgap molecule, which has an unusual "Mexican-hat" dispersion that is tunable via the fermion density. We map out the impurity dispersion, which consists of an "atomic" branch (in which the impurity is dressed by quasiparticle pairs) and a "molecular" branch (in which the impurity binds a quasiparticle). We discuss the experimental realization and detection of midgap Shiba molecules, focusing on Li-Cs mixtures, and comment on the prospects they offer for realizing exotic many-body states.

arXiv:1405.6717Physical Review LettersJan 28, 20159 citations

Impurity effects on BCS-BEC crossover in ultracold atomic Fermi gases

Yanming Che, Leifeng Zhang, Jibiao Wang +1 more

We present a systematic investigation of the effects of ``nonmagnetic'' impurities on the $s$ -wave BCS-BEC crossover in atomic Fermi gases within a pairing fluctuation theory. Both pairing and impurity scattering $T$ matrices are treated self-consistently at the same time. While the system is less sensitive to impurity scattering in the Born limit, for strong impurity scatterers, both the frequency and the gap function are highly renormalized, leading to significant suppression of the superfluid ${T}_{c}$ , the order parameter, and the superfluid density. We also find the formation of impurity bands and smearing of coherence peak in the fermion density of states, leading to a spectrum weight transfer and finite lifetime of Bogoliubov quasiparticles. In the BCS regime, the superfluidity may be readily destroyed by the impurity of high density, leading to a superfluid-insulator quantum phase transition at zero temperature. In comparison, the superfluidity in unitary and BEC regimes is relatively more robust.We present a systematic investigation of the effects of ``nonmagnetic'' impurities on the $s$-wave BCS-BEC crossover in atomic Fermi gases within a pairing fluctuation theory. Both pairing and impurity scattering $T$ matrices are treated self-consistently at the same time. While the system is less sensitive to impurity scattering in the Born limit, for strong impurity scatterers, both the frequency and the gap function are highly renormalized, leading to significant suppression of the superfluid ${T}_{c}$, the order parameter, and the superfluid density. We also find the formation of impurity bands and smearing of coherence peak in the fermion density of states, leading to a spectrum weight transfer and finite lifetime of Bogoliubov quasiparticles. In the BCS regime, the superfluidity may be readily destroyed by the impurity of high density, leading to a superfluid-insulator quantum phase transition at zero temperature. In comparison, the superfluidity in unitary and BEC regimes is relatively more robust.

arXiv:1608.02110Physical review. B./Physical review. BJan 9, 20176 citations

Universal Impurity-Induced Bound State in Topological Superfluids

Hui Hu, Lei Jiang, Han Pu +2 more

We predict a universal midgap bound state in topological superfluids, induced by either nonmagnetic or magnetic impurities in the strong scattering limit. This universal state is similar to the lowest-energy Caroli-de Gennes-Martricon bound state in a vortex core, but is bound to localized impurities. We argue that the observation of such a universal bound state can be a clear signature for identifying topological superfluids. We theoretically examine our argument for a spin-orbit coupled ultracold atomic Fermi gas trapped in a two-dimensional harmonic potential by performing extensive self-consistent calculations within the mean-field Bogoliubov-de Gennes theory. A realistic scenario for observing a universal bound state in ultracold 40K atoms is proposed.We predict a universal midgap bound state in topological superfluids, induced by either nonmagnetic or magnetic impurities in the strong scattering limit. This universal state is similar to the lowest-energy Caroli-de Gennes-Martricon bound state in a vortex core, but is bound to localized impurities. We argue that the observation of such a universal bound state can be a clear signature for identifying topological superfluids. We theoretically examine our argument for a spin-orbit coupled ultracold atomic Fermi gas trapped in a two-dimensional harmonic potential by performing extensive self-consistent calculations within the mean-field Bogoliubov-de Gennes theory. A realistic scenario for observing a universal bound state in ultracold 40K atoms is proposed.

arXiv:1302.0088Physical Review LettersJan 10, 201355 citations

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.

We present a systematic investigation of the effects of ``nonmagnetic'' impurities on the

s

-wave BCS-BEC crossover in atomic Fermi gases within a pairing fluctuation theory. Both pairing and impurity scattering

T

matrices are treated self-consistently at the same time. While the system is less sensitive to impurity scattering in the Born limit, for strong impurity scatterers, both the frequency and the gap function are highly renormalized, leading to significant suppression of the superfluid

{T}_{c}

, the order parameter, and the superfluid density. We also find the formation of impurity bands and smearing of coherence peak in the fermion density of states, leading to a spectrum weight transfer and finite lifetime of Bogoliubov quasiparticles. In the BCS regime, the superfluidity may be readily destroyed by the impurity of high density, leading to a superfluid-insulator quantum phase transition at zero temperature. In comparison, the superfluidity in unitary and BEC regimes is relatively more robust.