Half-quantum vortices in nematic and chiral phases of 3He

Journal article, 2021

We report theoretical results for the stability of half-quantum vortices (HQVs) in the superfluid phases of confined in highly anisotropic Nafen aerogel. Superfluidity of confined in Nafen is the realization of a “nematic superfluid” with Cooper pairs condensed into a single -wave orbital aligned along the anisotropy axis of the Nafen aerogel. In addition to the nematic phase, we predict a second “chiral” phase that onsets at a lower transition temperature. This chiral phase spontaneously breaks time-reversal symmetry and is a topological superfluid. Both superfluid phases are equal-spin pairing condensates that host arrays of HQVs as equilibrium states of rotating superfluid . We present results for the structure of HQVs, including magnetic and topological signatures of HQVs in both the nematic and chiral phases of -Nafen.