Superconducting Quasicrystals

Abstract

Dan Shechtman's discovery of quasicrystals in 1982 introduced the scientific world to aperiodic crystals with unique rotational symmetries, redefining traditional crystallography. Although superconductivity in related periodic approximants has since been observed, true bulk superconductivity in quasicrystals was confirmed only in 2018. This recent discovery opens a new horizon not only for the study of correlated quasicrystals but more generally for the study of superconductivity with nontrivial spatial order. The theoretical understanding of superconducting quasicrystals poses challenges due to their lack of periodicity. Notably, they exhibit non-BCS type superconductivity and distinct electromagnetic responses, reminiscent of the so-called FFLO state. In this review, we provide an overview of superconducting quasicrystals, along with some “behind-the-scenes” information.