Search for time-reversal symmetry breaking in unconventional superconductors

摘要

We have used polar Kerr effect to test for time-reversal symmetry breaking effects in unconventional superconductors. In particular, high precision measurements of the spin-triplet superconductor Sr(2)RuO(4)4 using a Sagnac interferometer with a zero-area Sagnac loop showed a non-zero Kerr rotations as big as 65 mad appearing below T-c in large domains.