Triplet pair correlations in {\it s-}wave superfluids as a signature of the FFLO state

Abstract

We show that triplet pairing correlations are generated in purely s-waves superfluids whenever population imbalance enforces anisotropic Fulde-Ferrell (FF) or inhomogeneous Larkin-Ovchinikov (LO) states. The same set of quasiparticle states contributes to the triplet component and to the polarization, thus spatially correlating them. In the LO case, this set forms a narrow band of Andreev states centered on the nodes of the s-wave order parameter. This picture naturally provides a unifying explanation of previous findings that attractive p-wave interaction stabilizes FFLO states. We also study a similar triplet mixing which occurs when a balanced two-component system displays FFLO type oscillations due to a spin-dependent optical lattice. We discuss how this triplet component can be measured in systems of ultra-cold atoms using a rapid ramp across a p-wave Feshbach resonance. This should provide a smoking gun signature of FFLO states.

4 pages, 3 figures