Odd-parity spin-loop-current order mediated by transverse spin fluctuations in cuprates and related electron systems

Abstract

Unconventional symmetry-breaking phenomena due to nontrivial order parameters attract increasing attention in strongly correlated electron systems. Here, we predict theoretically the occurrence of nanoscale spontaneous spin current, called the spin-loop-current (sLC) order, as a promising origin of the pseudogap and electronic nematicity in cuprates. We reveal that the sLC is driven by the odd-parity electron-hole condensations that are mediated by transverse spin fluctuations around the pseudogap temperature T^{*}. At the same temperature, odd-parity magnon pair condensation occurs. The sLC order is “hidden” in that neither internal magnetic field nor charge-density modulation is induced, whereas the predicted sLC with finite wave-number naturally gives the Fermi arc structure. In addition, the fluctuations of sLC order work as attractive pairing interaction between adjacent hot spots, which enlarges the d-wave superconducting transition temperature T_{c}. The sLC state will be a key ingredient in understanding the pseudogap, electronic nematicity, as well as superconductivity in cuprates and other strongly correlated metals.