Unconventional vortex state in multicomponent superconductors with time-reversal symmetry breaking

Highlights: • Vortex states in three-component superconductor are investigated theoretically. • Superconducting state with broken time-reversal symmetry at zero field is focused. • In parameter regime derived analytically a vortex-cluster state is observed. • Superconductor with frustrated phases cannot be categorized to type-I and -II. -- Abstract: Time-dependent Ginzburg–Landau (TDGL) approach is used to investigate vortex states at the vicinity of Tc in three-component superconductors with time-reversal symmetry breaking (TRSB). When the nucleation field Hn is slightly larger than the thermodynamic field Htc, vortices form a cluster indicating clearly that this is an exotic superconducting state which cannot be categorized to type-I and type-II