Universal scaling properties of extreme type-II superconductors in magnetic fields

Anisotropic Ginzburg-Landau superconductors of extreme type-II are considered in an approximation where magnetic field fluctuations are neglected. A formulation of the scaling properties is presented for the singular part of the free energy density in the presence of a magnetic field. From the existence of a magnetization, a diamagnetic susceptibility and superconductivity we determine the limiting behavior of the scaling function in the vicinity of the zero field transition temperature, where critical fluctuations dominate. Our predictions for the temperature and field dependence of magnetization, magnetic torque and melting line etc., uncover the universal critical properties and provide an extension of hitherto used mean-field treatments. The results are consistent with experimental data. Received: 24 April 1998 / Accepted: 5 May 1998     

Extended -wave superconductivity. Flat nodes in the gap and the low-temperature asymptotic properties of high- superconductors

Remarkable anisotropic structures have been recently observed in the order parameter of the underdoped superconductor Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O . Such findings are strongly suggestive of deviations from a simple d _{x2 - y2} -wave picture of high- superconductivity, i.e. . In particular, flatter nodes in are observed along the directions in -space, than within this simple model for a d-wave gap. We argue that nonlinear corrections in the -dependence of near the nodes introduce new energy scales, which would lead to deviations in the predicted power-law asymptotic behaviour of several measurable quantities, at low or intermediate temperatures. We evaluate such deviations, either analytically or numerically, within the interlayer pair-tunneling model, and within yet another phenomenological model for a d-wave order parameter. We find that such deviations are expected to be of different sign in the two cases. Moreover, the doping dependence of the flatness of the gap near the nodes is also attributable to Fermi surface effects, in addition to possible screening effects modifying the in-plane pairing kernel, as recently proposed. Received 19 November 1999     

Normal and superconducting state in the presence of forward electron-phonon and impurity scattering

By assuming that the superconducting pairing is due to the forward E-P scattering (FEP pairing) it is shown that the critical temperature of clean systems depends linearly on the E-P coupling constant and the isotope effect is very small. Impurities with the pronounced forward scattering (FS impurities) change analytical properties of the quasiparticle Green's function substantially compared to the case of the isotropic scattering. The FS impurities are pair-breaking and affect in the same way s- and d-wave FEP pairing making in the dirty limit.The usual isotropic impurity scattering is pair-weakening for s-wave and pair-breaking for the d-wave FEP pairing. Received 1st July 1998     

Multi-patch model for transport properties of cuprate superconductors

A number of normal state transport properties of cuprate superconductors are analyzed in detail using the Boltzmann equation. The momentum dependence of the electronic structure and the strong momentum anisotropy of the electronic scattering are included in a phenomenological way via a multi-patch model. The Brillouin zone and the Fermi surface are divided in regions where scattering between the electrons is strong and the Fermi velocity is low (hot patches) and in regions where the scattering is weak and the Fermi velocity is large (cold patches). We present several motivations for this phenomenology starting from various microscopic approaches. A solution of the Boltzmann equation in the case of N patches is obtained and an expression for the distribution function away from equilibrium is given. Within this framework, and limiting our analysis to the two patches case, the temperature dependence of resistivity, thermoelectric power, Hall angle, magnetoresistance and thermal Hall conductivity are studied in a systematic way analyzing the role of the patch geometry and the temperature dependence of the scattering rates. In the case of Bi-based cuprates, using ARPES data for the electronic structure, and assuming an inter-patch scattering between hot and cold states with a linear temperature dependence, a reasonable agreement with the available experiments is obtained. Received 3 August 2001 and Received in final form 1st November 2001     

Spectral properties of incommensurate charge-density wave systems

The concept of frustrated phase separation is applied to investigate its consequences for the electronic structure of the high T _c cuprates. The resulting incommensurate charge density wave (CDW) scattering is most effective in creating local gaps in k-space when the scattering vector connects states with equal energy. Starting from an open Fermi surface we find that the resulting CDW is oriented along the (10)- and (or) (01)-direction which allows for a purely one-dimensional or a two-dimensional “eggbox type” charge modulation. In both cases the van Hove singularities are substantially enhanced, and the spectral weight of Fermi surface states near the M-points, tends to be suppressed. Remarkably, a leading edge gap arises near these points, which, in the eggbox case, leaves finite arcs of the Fermi surface gapless. We discuss our results with repect to possible consequences for photoemission experiments. Received 14 June 1999     

Specific heat jump in non-Fermi superconductors

We derive the jump in the specific heat at T=T _c for a superconductor in a non-Fermi liquid model. We took into consideration the two possible limits in this problem: the spin-charge separation model for a Fermi liquid and the usual non-Fermi liquid model which satisfies the homogeneity relation for the spectral function , ). We also derive the order parameter behavior for these two cases in the vecinity of the critical temperature. Received: 25 January 1998 / Revised: 25 March 1998 / Accepted: 25 March 1998     

Kosterlitz-Thouless vs. Ginzburg-Landau description of 2D superconducting fluctuations

We evaluate the charge and spin susceptibilities of the 2D attractive Hubbard model and we compare our results with Monte Carlo simulations on the same model. We discuss the possibility to include topological Kosterlitz-Thouless superconducting fluctuations in a standard perturbative approach substituting in the fluctuation propagator the Ginzburg-Landau correlation length with the Kosterlitz-Thouless correlation length. Received 30 June 1999     

Effect of changing microstructure of Y-Ba-Cu-O superconductors on the vortex motion under non-equilibrium thermal conditions

Repetition of cooling and heating of high-T_c superconductors is detected to be able to result in some change of their microstructure. A non-equilibrium experimental technique provides direct measurement of the velocity of vortex motion in high-T_c Y-Ba-Cu-O superconductors. Its value falls in the interval of mm/s depending on the number of the cooling or heating cycles, to which the samples are submitted. The thermal cycling created homogenization of the specimen's microstructure, and is presumed to cause this phenomenon, decreasing the number and strength of pinning centers. This supposition is proved by X-ray diffractography and transmission electron microscopy. A simple irreversible thermodynamic theory is elaborated to describe the reason, direction and dissipative character of the vortex motion. Received: 17 December 1997 / Accepted: 28 January 1998     

Observation of a sharp lambda peak in the third harmonic voltage response of high-T superconductor thin films

In this paper, we report on the sharp peak observed in the third harmonic voltage response generated by a bias sinusoidal current applied to several strips patterned in a YBa₂Cu₃O _{7 - δ} thin film and in two La_2-xSr_xCuO₄ thin films, when the temperature is close to the normal-superconductor transition. The lambda-shaped temperature dependence of the third harmonic signal on the current characteristics is studied. Several physical mechanisms of third harmonic generation are examined. Received 13 November 2002 / Received in final form 21 February 2003 Published online 7 May 2003     

Large copper isotope effect on the pseudogap in the high-temperature superconductor HoBa 2 Cu 4 O 8

The copper isotope effect (⁶³Cu vs. ⁶⁵Cu) on the relaxation rate of crystal-field excitations in the slightly underdoped high-temperature superconductor HoBa₂Cu₄O₈ has been investigated by inelastic neutron scattering. For the ⁶³Cu compound there is clear evidence for the opening of an electronic gap in the normal state at T ^* ≈ 160 K far above T _c = 79.0 K. Upon substitution of ⁶³Cu by ⁶⁵Cu, T _c decreases marginally to 78.6 K, whereas T ^* is increased to about 185 K. This large copper isotope shift Δ T ^* ( Cu ) = T ^* ( ⁶⁵ Cu ) - T ^* ( ⁶³ Cu ) ≈ 25 K - together with the corresponding oxygen isotope shift Δ T ^* ( O ) = T ^* ( ¹⁸ O ) - T ^* ( ¹⁶ O ) ≈ 50 K found in an earlier investigation - suggests that phonons or lattice fluctuations involving both the copper and the oxygen ions are important for the pairing mechanism in high-T _c materials. Received 13 October 2000     

Charge correlations in the weakly doped t-J model calculated by projection technique

We study frequency- and wave-vector dependent charge correlations in weakly doped antiferromagnets using Mori-Zwanzig projection technique. The system is described by the two-dimensional t-J model. The ground state is expressed within a cumulant formalism which has been successfully applied to study magnetic properties of the weakly doped system. Within this approach the ground state contains independent spin-bag quasiparticles (magnetic polarons). We present results for the charge-density response function and for the optical conductivity at zero temperature for different values of t / J. They agree well with numerical results calculated by exact diagonalization techniques. The density response function for intermediate and large momenta shows a broad continuum on energy scales of order of several t whereas the optical conductivity for is dominated by low energy excitations (at 1.5-2J). We show that these weak-doping properties can be well understood by transitions between excited states of spin-bag quasiparticles. Received: 10 July 1997 / Revised: 19 March 1998 / Accepted: 3 April 1998     

Particle size effect of a.c. superconducting properties in compound

Using a new starting material of Ba₂Cu₃O₅ and a three step heat treatment, single phase Tl₂Ca₁Ba₂Cu₂O₈ high- superconducting samples have been prepared, possessing the onset- and critical temperatures K and K. The morphology dependent value of is 17 Oe, 8 Oe and 5 Oe at 77 K in the case of bulk, crushed and powdered materials, respectively. The a.c. susceptibility, r.f. susceptibility and microwave absorption properties show a significant dependence on the particle size with a sharp change in the interval between 750 μm and 1200 μm. These experiments provide characteristic parameters for intergrain material (treated as 3D Josephson network) as mm, Oe and A/cm² at 77 K. The data are controlled by modulated microwave absorption measurements. The results obtained can be explained well both by the finite size junction model and cavity mode absorption model. The Josephson network is determined unambiguously by metallic S-N-S weak links. Received 10 October 1998     

Thermal conductivity and thermal Hall effect in Bi- and Y-based high-T c superconductors

Measurements of the thermal conductivity (k_xx) and the thermal Hall effect (k_xy) in high magnetic fields in Y- and Bi-based high-T _c superconductors are presented. We describe the experimental technique and test measurements on a simple metal (niobium). In the high-T _c superconductors k_xx and k_xy increase below T _c and show a maximum in their temperature dependence. k_xx has contributions from phonons and quasiparticle (QP) excitations, whereas k_xy is purely electronic. The strong increase of k_xy below T _c gives direct evidence for a strong enhancement of the QP contribution to the heat current and thus for a strong increase of the QP mean free path. Using k_xy and the magnetic field dependence of k_xx we separate the electronic thermal conductivity ( k _xx ^el ) of the CuO ₂ -planes from the phononic thermal conductivity ( k _xx ^ph ). In YBa₂Cu₃O _{7 - δ} k _xx ^el shows a pronounced maximum in the superconducting state. This maximum is much weaker in Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O _{8 + δ} , due to stronger impurity scattering. The maximum of k _xx ^el is strongly suppressed by a magnetic field, which we attribute to the scattering of QPs on vortices. An additional magnetic field independent contribution to the maximum of k_xx occurs in YBa₂Cu₃O _{7 - δ} , reminiscent of the contribution of the CuO-chains, as determined from the anisotropy in untwined single crystals. Our data analysis reveals that below T _c as in the normal state a transport (τ) and a Hall ( ) relaxation time must be distinguished: The inelastic (i.e. temperature dependent) contribution to τ is strongly enhanced in the superconducting state, whereas displays the same temperature dependence as above T _c . We determine also the electronic thermal conductivity in the normal state from k_xy and the electrical Hall angle. It shows an unusual linear increase with temperature. Received 23 August 2000     

Size shrinking of composite bosons for increasing density in the BCS to Bose-Einstein crossover

We consider a system of fermions in the continuum case at zero temperature, in the strong-coupling limit of a short-range attraction when composite bosons form as bound-fermion pairs. We examine the density dependence of the size of the composite bosons at leading order in the density (“dilute limit”), and show on general physical grounds that this size should decrease with increasing density, both in three and two dimensions. We then compare with the analytic zero-temperature mean-field solution, which indeed exhibits the size shrinking of the composite bosons both in three and two dimensions. We argue, nonetheless, that the two-dimensional mean-field solution is not consistent with our general result in the “dilute limit”, to the extent that mean field treats the scattering between composite bosons in the Born approximation which is known to break down at low energy in two dimensions. Received 3 June 1999 and Received in final form 29 July 1999     

Scaling of vortex transport properties and nonlinear ac response of high-temperature superconductors

The macroscopic behavior of high-temperature superconductors is described by a nonlinear response function in combinations with Maxwell equations. This function is compatible with the suggested different model pinning barriers U(J). A comparison of this function to the scaling behavior of the isothermal current-voltage characteristics measured in twinned YBa₂Cu₃O (YBCO) samples shows fair agreement. We also compare the amplitude dependence of ac susceptibility derived from this function with several experimental results of high-temperature superconductors and find a general power law in the out-of-phase peak shift. Received 4 August 1999 and Received in final form 30 November 1999     

Non perturbative calculations for three particles in a linear chain within the generalized Hubbard model

A real-space method has been introduced to study the pairing problem within the generalized Hubbard Hamiltonian. This method includes the bond-charge interaction term as an extension of the previously proposed mapping method [1] for the Hubbard model. The generalization of the method is based on mapping the correlated many-body problem onto an equivalent site- and bond-impurity tight-binding one in a higher dimensional space, where the problem can be solved exactly. In a one-dimensional lattice, we analyzed the three particle correlation by calculating the binding energy at the ground state, using different values of the bond-charge, the on-site (U) and the nearest-neighbor (V) interactions. A pairing asymmetry is found between electrons and holes for the generalized hopping amplitude, where the hole pairing is not always easier than the electron case. For some special values of the hopping parameters and for all kinds of interactions in the Hubbard Hamiltonian, an analytical solution is obtained. Received 21 January 2000 and Received in final form 18 July 2000     

Transport and optical conductivity in

We present the results of a dc transport and optical investigation of WO₃ and Na_xWO₃ with x =0.01. Upon Na-doping we find a (Drude) metallic component in the optical conductivity, while the transport data display a crossover from an activated to a variable range hopping regime around 210 K. We suggest the possible formation of polarons (and bipolarons) and speculate that superconductivity could be induced, provided the dc percolation threshold is achieved. Received 28 March 2000     

Disorder and superconductivity: a new phase of bi-particle localized states

We study the two-dimensional, disordered, attractive Hubbard model by the projector quantum Monte Carlo method and Bogoliubov-de Gennes mean-field theory. Our results for the ground state show the appearance of a new phase with charge localization in the metallic regime of the non-interacting model. Contrary to the common lore, we demonstrate that mean-field theory fails to predict this phase and is unable to describe the correct physical picture in this regime. Received 2 July 2001     

Impurity scattering in d-wave superconductivity. Unitarity limit versus Born limit

As is well known, Zn-substitution of Cu in the Cu-O₂ plane in the hole-doped high T_c cuprates provides a semi-quantitative test of underlying d-wave superconductivity. Here we complement this with a parallel study of Ni-substitution, which gives rise to weak scattering described with the Born approximation. Received: 7 November 1997 / Revised: 14 November 1997 / Accepted: 24 November 1997     

Avalanches and Self-Organized Criticality in superconductors

We review the use of superconductors as a playground for the experimental study of front roughening and avalanches. Using the magneto-optical technique, the spatial distribution of the vortex density in the sample is monitored as a function of time. The roughness and growth exponents corresponding to the vortex `landscape' are determined and compared to the exponents that characterize the avalanches in the framework of Self-Organized Criticality. For those situations where a thermo-magnetic instability arises, an analytical non-linear and non-local model is discussed, which is found to be consistent to great detail with the experimental results. On anisotropic substrates, the anisotropy regularizes the avalanches.