Linear spectroscopy of collective modes and the gap structure in two-dimensional superconductors

We consider optical response in multiband, multilayer two-dimensional superconductors. Within a simple model, we show that linear response to AC gating can detect collective modes of the condensate, such as Leggett and clapping modes. We show how trigonal warping of the superconducting order parameter can help facilitate detection of clapping modes. Taking rhombohedral trilayer graphene as an example, we consider several possible pairing mechanisms and show that all-electronic mechanisms may produce in-gap clapping modes. These modes, if present, should be detectable in the absorption of microwaves applied via the gate electrodes, which are necessary to enable superconductivity in this and many other settings; their detection would constitute strong evidence for unconventional pairing. Last, we show that absorption at frequencies above the superconducting gap <a:math xmlns:a="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><a:mrow><a:mn>2</a:mn><a:mo>|</a:mo><a:mi mathvariant="normal">Δ</a:mi><a:mo>|</a:mo></a:mrow></a:math> also contains a wealth of information about the gap structure. Our results suggest that linear spectroscopy can be a powerful tool for the characterization of unconventional two-dimensional superconductors. Published by the American Physical Society 2024