Magnetic field induced charge order in cuprate superconductors: an explanation by spin-vortex-induced loop currents

Abstract

We present a possible explanation for a recently observed magnetic field induced charge order in cuprate superconductors (Edkins et al. arXiv:1802.04673 [cond-mat.supr-con]). We argue that it arises from the reorganization of spin-vortex-induced loop current (SVILC) pattern due to supercurrent-flow caused by the magnetic field. The reorganization is from the most stable tiling of 4a 6a spin-vortex quartets (a is the lattice constant in the CuO2 plane, and a spin-vortex quartet is stable of unit of spin-vortices that contains four holes, four spin-vortices, and four SVILCs) to that of 4a 8a spin-vortex quartets. The consequence of this reorganization will lead to the enhancement of 8a charge order, and reduction of 6a charge order. The former is observed in the experiment, but the latter is not confirmed, so far. However, it may be confirmed if the experimental result is carefully reexamined.