Spin-Imbalance in a One-Dimensional Fermi Gas

Understand

Superconductivity and magnetism generally do not coexist.

• Changing the relative number of up and down spin electrons disrupts the basic mechanism of superconductivity, where atoms of opposite momentum and spin form Cooper pairs.
• Nearly forty years ago Fulde and Ferrell and Larkin and Ovchinnikov proposed an exotic pairing mechanism (FFLO) where magnetism is accommodated by formation of pairs with finite momentum.
• Despite intense theoretical and experimental efforts, however, polarized superconductivity remains largely elusive.