High-T c superconductors: New insights from angle-resolved photoemission

Recent angle-resolved photoemission (ARPES) studies of the high-T _c superconductors by the Argonne group are briefly reviewed. First we discuss sum rules to establish a spectral function interpretation of the data, and the use of ARPES to obtain the momentum distribution. We then apply these ideas to the normal and superconducting state spectra for B₂Sr₂Cu₂O₈. Among the topics discussed are the Fermi surface, polarization selection rules, bilayer splitting, and the superconducting gap.     

Coupling to Phonons in the Migdal–Eliashberg Approach

The relevance of the strong correlations in the high critical temperature superconductors (HTSC) is well experimentally documented. However, if the properties of the normal and superconducting state in HTSC oxides are interpreted in terms of the standard Eliashberg theory, which holds in low temperature superconductor systems, the Migdal–Eliashberg approach implies serious limitations in the reproduction of experimental spectroscopies whose contributions are inter-band and not intra-band. Recent angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) measurements on HTSC oxides whose contributions are intra-band show a kink in the quasiparticle spectrum at characteristic phonon frequencies in the normal and superconducting state. In contrast with our theoretical discussion, we include our theoretical results for the renormalized energy E _k as a function of the bare band energy ε _k obtained from ARPES in a Pb sample and in a Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O_8+δ optimally doped sample (Bi2212). This is clear evidence that electron-phonon is strong and involved in pairing.      

Effect of Incommensurate Charge-Density Wave Scattering on the Electronic Structure of High-Tc Cuprates

We argue that the collective mode as observed in angle resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) on a large class of cuprates can be associated with dynamic incommensurate CDW fluctuations present in these materials. This scenario is substantiated by a comparison of calculated spectra with experimental ARPES data where we obtain a mode frequency which decreases towards optimal doping thus strongly supporting the existence of a quantum critical point around this concentration. Moreover we extract the temperature dependence of the associated bosonic spectrum from ARPES data where it turns out that there is a continuous evolution from mode-type behavior below T _c to a marginal Fermi liquid structure well above T _c.     

BSCCO Superconductors: Hole-Like Fermi Surface and Doping Dependence of the Gap Function

We use the gradient of the energy-integrated angle resolved photoemission (ARPES) intensity in order to define precisely the Fermi surface (FS) in BSCCO superconductors. We show that, independent of the photon energy, the FS is a hole barrel centered at (, ). Then, the superconducting gap along the FS is precisely determined from ARPES measurements on overdoped and underdoped samples of Bi2212. As the doping decreases, the maximum gap increases, but the slope of the gap near the nodes decreases. Though consistent with d-wave symmetry, the gap with underdoping cannot be fit by the simple cos(k _x) – cos(k _y) form. A comparison of our ARPES results with available penetration depth data indicates that the renormalization of the linear T suppression of the superfluid density at low temperatures due to quasiparticle excitations around the d-wave nodes is large and doping dependent.     

Superconductivity at 103 K in CdBa2(Ca0.7Y0.3)Cu2Oy

A cadmium analogue of the mercury system with nominal composition CdBa₂(Ca_1–xY_x)Cu₂O_y has been synthesized. Thex=0 samples contain about 12 vol.% of the 1212 phase but are not superconducting. Thex=0.3 samples are superconducting atT _on = 103 K. The EDX analysis of 18 microcrystals shows a broad cationic distribution of the different components. The observed broad superconducting transition is attributed to the variousT _c of the different microcrystals.     

Effect of Incommensurate Charge-Density Wave Scattering on the Electronic Structure of High-Tc Cuprates

We argue that the collective mode as observed in angle resolved photoemission spectroslopy (ARPES) on a large class of cuprates can be associated with dynamic incommensurate CDW fluctuations present in these materials. This scenario is substantiated by a comparison of calculated spectra with experimental ARPES data where we obtain a mode frequency that decreases toward optimal doping, thus strongly supporting the existence of a quantum critical point around this concentration. Moreover, we extract the temperature dependence of the associated bosonic spectrum from ARPES data, where it turns out that there is a continuous evolution from mode-type behavior below T _c to a marginal Fermi liquid structure well above T _c.     

Study of Hole Pair Condensation based on the SU(2) Slave-Boson Approach to the t-J Hamiltonian; Temperature, Momentum and Doping Dependences of Spectral Functions

Based on the U(1) and SU(2) slave-boson approaches to the t-J Hamil-tonian, we evaluate the one electron spectral functions for the hole doped high T _c cuprates for comparison with the angle resolved photoemission spectroscopy(ARPES) data. We find that the observed quasiparticle peak in the superconducting state is correlated with the hump which exists in the normal state. We find that the spectral weight of the quasiparticle peak increases as doping rate increases, which is consistent with observation. As a conse-quence of the phase fluctuation effects of the spinon and holon pairing order parameters the spectral weight of the predicted peak obtained from the SU(2) theory is found to be smaller than the one predicted from U(1) mean field theory.     

Normal and Superconducting Properties of Cuprates in Multielectron Theory

We consider the doping dependence of the normal and superconducting properties of La_2?x Sr _x CuO₄ in the low energy effective model based on the ab initio LDA+GTB calculations. We have found that two quantum phase transitions (QPT) of the Lifshitz type correspond well to the experimental phase diagram. For superconducting state, we have considered both magnetic and phonon mechanisms of pairing. Finally, we compare the true Fermi surface and the spectral intensity map seen in ARPES within a new norm conserving cluster perturbation theory (NC-CPT).     

On the Presence of 1D-Like Stripes in Superconducting Epitaxial La2-xSrxCuO4 thin Films

A large positive magnetoresistance (up to tens of percents) is observed in both underdoped (x < 0.15) and overdoped superconducting La_{2− x}Sr_xCuO₄ (LSCO) epitaxial thin films, at temperatures far above the superconducting critical temperature T _c . In the underdoped regime, this magnetoresistance cannot be described by the Kohler rule and is due to the influence of superconducting fluctuations. On the other hand, in the overdoped regime, the Kohler rule does not seem to be violated. The strong magnetoresistance above T _c can be related to the preformed superconducting pairs existing well above T _c but forming a phase coherent superconducting state below T _c . The observations support the idea of a close relation between the pseudogap and the superconducting gap and provide evidence for the presence of pre-pairs above T _c . Both the observed fluctuations and the observed magnetoresistance are in accordance with the existence of 1D-like stripes. These results are further supported by recent high magnetic field measurements (up to 55 T) of the transverse magnetoconductivity σ _xy, which goes to zero for T→0 K.     

Superconducting transition temperatures in the Ru-1232 system, RuSr2(Gd1? x Ln x Ce1.8Sr0.2)Cu2O z (Ln = Sm, Dy, and Ho)

We have investigated effects of the lanthanide element Ln and the composition changes on the superconducting transition temperatureT _c in the Ru-1232 system, RuSr₂(Gd_1−x Ln _x Ce_1.8Sr_0.2)Cu₂O _z (Ln = Sm, Dy, and Ho). At first, in the case of the samples with Ln = Sm among almost the single 1232 phase samples, the values of the superconducting onset temperatureT _co are almost the same forx=0.00−0.15, and each of the lattice parametersa andc is almost constant. While, in each of the cases of the samples with Ln = Dy and Ho, the sample withx=0.05 shows the maximum values for both the superconducting onset temperatureT _co and the zero resistivity temperatureT _cz. Especially for the sample with Ln = Dy, the values ofT _co andT _cz are 18.5 and 6.5 K, respectively. These are higher than those of the mother sample of RuSr₂(GdCe_1.8Sr_0.2)Cu₂O _z . Moreover, from variations ofT _co, lattice parameters ofa andc in the RuSr₂(Gd_1−x Dy _x Ce_1.8Sr_0.2)Cu₂O _z system as a function of Dy contentx, the relationship between the superconducting transition temperature and the lattice parameters in the present system are investigated.     

Superconducting Transition Temperatures in the Ru-1232 System, RuSr2(Gd1?xLnxCe1.8Sr0.2)Cu2Oz (Ln = Sm, Dy, and Ho)

We have investigated effects of the lanthanide element Ln and the composition changes on the superconducting transition temperature T _c in the Ru-1232 system, RuSr₂(Gd_{1− x} Ln _x Ce_1.8Sr_0.2)Cu₂O _z (Ln = Sm, Dy, and Ho). At first, in the case of the samples with Ln = Sm among almost the single 1232 phase samples, the values of the superconducting onset temperature T _co are almost the same for x = 0.00–0.15, and each of the lattice parameters a and c is almost constant. While, in each of the cases of the samples with Ln = Dy and Ho, the sample with x = 0.05 shows the maximum values for both the superconducting onset temperature T _co and the zero resistivity temperature T _cz. Especially for the sample with Ln = Dy, the values of T _co and T _cz are 18.5 and 6.5 K, respectively. These are higher than those of the mother sample of RuSr₂(GdCe_1.8Sr_0.2)Cu₂O _z . Moreover, from variations of T _co, lattice parameters of a and c in the RuSr₂(Gd_{1− x} Dy _x Ce_1.8Sr_0.2)Cu₂O _z system as a function of Dy content x, the relationship between the superconducting transition temperature and the lattice parameters in the present system are investigated.     

Theab-plane optical conductivity of high-Tc superconductors

There is anisotropy in theab-plane optical properties of the high-temperature superconductors, both in the normal state and in the superconducting state. In both states, two components appear in the optical conductivity: a free carrier part and a midinfrared component. BelowT _c , the free carriers form the superconducting condensate. In YBa₂Cu₃O_7–, the anisotropy of the penetration depth shows that the chains contribute strongly to this superfluid. In Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O₈, where chains are absent, there is stillab plane anisotropy. BelowT _c a finite absorption parallelb remains at frequencies as small as 20 meV. This anisotropy could be due to anisotropy either of the superconducting gap or the midinfrared component.     

Superconductivity of barium-doped Bi2Sr2CaCu2Oy

Sintered ceramic samples of Bi₂Sr_2–x Ba _x CaCu₂O_y with nominal barium fraction 0x0.3 have been prepared by the solid-state reaction method. WDS studies verified that barium enters the superconducting phase. For slowly cooled samples, the midpointT _c of the superconducting transition is significantly increased by barium doping, whereas for quenched samplesT _c is little affected. The increase ofT _c with increasing barium fraction is consistent with a decrease in the hole concentration in the superconducting layers.     

Complex Phase Separation in Oxygen-Doped Cuprates La2CuO4+y Superconductors

The multiple-phase separation with coexistence of two different superconducting phases in the phase diagram of oxygen-doped La₂CuO_{4+ y} cuprates is interpreted with a modified Van der Waals scheme. The model includes the tendency of intercalated oxygen ions to form clusters at preferential densities. We obtain the coexistence and competition of two different superconducting phases with different T _c and interstitial oxygen content y, in agreement with experiments.     

CO2 laser annealing of plasma-deposited high-Tcsuperconducting thick films

Recent advances in the fabrication of high-T _c superconducting thick films demand processing techniques which can eliminate film/substrate interdifiusion that occurs during subsequent post-annealing heat treatment after the film is deposited, thereby limiting the application of the thick films for devices. The present study evaluates laser annealing techniques for plasma-deposited Y-Ba-Cu-O thick films using a high-energy CO₂ laser (10.6m) in a continuous wave mode. The results are compared with those obtained by conventional furnace annealing techniques necessary for post-heat treatment of as-deposited superconducting thick films. The high-T _c superconducting phase is recovered by cationic diffusion during subsequent post-annealing heat treatment. Crystallographic phases and microstructural characterization have been performed using XRD, SEM, and EPMA analytical techniques. The significance of the technology lies in the elimination of film/substrate interdiffusion problems, thereby resulting in high-quality superconducting thick films. The technology will significantly reduce the post-annealing times usually required by conventional furnace annealing techniques.     

Vortex motion in coupled DyBa2Cu3O7/(Y0.6Pr0.4)Ba2Cu3O7 heterostructures

Multilayer structures containing 24 Å thick DyBa₂Cu₃O₇ layers, separated by 96 Å of an (Y_0.6Pr_0.4)Ba₂Cu₃O₇ alloy, are studied to investigate the effect of coupling on vortex dynamics. With the magnetic field perpendicular to theab plane, and as a function of the number of superconducting layers in the structure, we find that the activation energy for flux motion increases, first linearly, and then saturates. This linear increase is taken as evidence that pancake vortices belonging to different DyBa₂Cu₃O₇ layers are stacked and have a coupled motion. Above a characteristic number of superconducting layers,N _c , shear of the vortex structures becomes important and the thermally activated process only displaces a stack ofN _c pancake vortices, meaning that the vortex lattice is turning three dimensional. In these structures we findN _c to be 2 to 3.     

Structural and Physical Properties of Ca1?xSrxFe2As2 (0≤x≤1.0) and Ca0.5Sr0.5Fe2?yCoyAs2 (0≤y≤0.6)

The Ca_1−x Sr _x Fe₂As₂ (0≤x≤1) and Ca_0.5Sr_0.5 Fe_2−y Co _y As₂ (0≤y≤0.6) materials were prepared by a solid state reaction method. X-ray diffraction analysis shows that the lattice parameters of Ca_1−x Sr _x Fe₂As₂ decrease continuously with increasing Ca content. Resistivity measurements reveal that the Ca/Sr ratio has a visible influence on the resistivity anomaly associated with the spin-density-wave (SDW) instability. Experimental measurements on Ca_0.5Sr_0.5Fe_2−y Co _y As₂ show clear superconducting transitions for Co in range of 0.26≤y≤0.43; the highest critical transition temperature is found to be at about 17 K. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) investigations on the superconducting Ca_0.5Sr_0.5Fe_2−y Co _y As₂ samples reveal visible inhomogeneous distribution of Sr and Ca elements, which could result in structural distortions and broaden superconducting transitions as observed in our experiments.     

Quasiparticle dispersion of Sr2CuO2Cl2

Recent angle resolved photoemission (ARPES) measurements for the insulating cuprate Sr₂CuO₂Cl₂ have provided the first experimental data which can be directly compared to the (theoretically) well-studied problem of a single hole propagating in an antiferromagnet. Some discrepancies withthe familiar 2D t— J model were observed. Here we discuss a comparison between the ARPES results and the quasiparticle dispersion of both (i) the extended t— t— J Hamiltonian and (ii) the three-band Hubbard model.     

Evaluation of superconducting ceramic thick films produced from a large bulk specimen of YBa2Cu3Ox

This experimental study concerns the production and evaluation of YBa₂Cu₃O _x superconducting thick films produced by slicing these films from a large bulk specimen. The resistivity/temperature behavior of these films was found to be equivalent to, or better than, the resistivity/temperature behavior of identically prepared bulk specimens made from the same material. Practical applications involving the use of this technique are probably most likely in hybrid microelectronic devices. Applications involving larger-scale electronic circuits and other superconducting devices are also possible.     

Superconducting ceramic/metal composite layers

Composite layers consisting of a YBa₂CU₃O_y superconducting ceramic and Ag or Al-clad substrates are prepared by rolling and pressing. The procedure for preparing an Al-clad Cu substrate is described. The superconducting transition temperature of the ceramic layers is 89-90 K, and the critical current densityis j_c > 10³ A/cm². The j_c data are correlated with the surface microstructure of the ceramic layers.