Competition of Spin-Fluctuations and Phonons in Superconductivity of ZrZn2

Abstract

It has been long suspected that spin fluctuations in the weak itinerant ferromagnet ZrZn2 may lead to a triplet superconductivity in this material. Here we point out another possibility, a spatially inhomogeneous singlet superconducting state (a Fulde-Ferrell-Larkin-Ovchinnikov state). We report detailed electronic structure calculations, as well as calculations of the zone center phonons and their coupling with electrons. We find that the exchange splitting is nonuniform and may allow for gap formation at some parts of the Fermi surface. We also find that there is substantial coupling of Zr rattling modes with electrons, which can, in principle, provide the necessary pairing in the s-channel.

4 pages, embedded color postscript figures. JPEG versions available from the authors