BCS-BEC crossover at finite temperature in spin-orbit coupled Fermi gases

Abstract: By adopting a $T$-matrix-based method within the $G_0G$ approximation for the pair susceptibility, we study the effects of the pairing fluctuation on the three-dimensional spin-orbit coupled Fermi gases at finite temperature. The critical temperatures of the superfluid/normal phase transition are determined for three different types of spin-orbit coupling (SOC): (1) the extreme oblate (EO) or Rashba SOC, (2) the extreme prolate (EP) or equal Rashba-Dresselhaus SOC, and (3) the spherical (S) SOC. For EO- and S-type SOC, the SOC dependence of the critical temperature signals a crossover from BCS to BEC state; at strong SOC limit, the critical temperature recover those of ideal BEC of rashbons. The pairing fluctuation induces a pseudogap in the fermionic excitation spectrum in both superfluid and normal phases. We find that, for EO- and S-type SOC, even at weak coupling, sufficiently strong SOC can induce sizable pseudogap. Our research suggests that the spin-orbit coupled Fermi gases may open new means to the study of the pseudogap formation in fermionic systems.