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The structure of the high-energy spin excitations in a high-transition-temperature superconductor.

Author(s) : HAYDEN S. M., MOOK H. A., DAI P., et al.

Type of article: Article

Summary

In conventional superconductors, lattice vibrations (phonons) mediate the attraction between electrons that is responsible for superconductivity. The high transition temperatures (high-Tc) of the copper oxide superconductors has led to collective spin excitations being proposed as the mediating excitations in these materials. The mediating excitations must be strongly coupled to the conduction electrons, have energy greater than the pairing energy, and be present at Tc. The most obvious feature in the magnetic excitations of high-Tc superconductors such is the so-called 'resonance'. Although the resonance may be strongly coupled to the superconductivity, it is unlikely to be the main cause. The authors use inelastic neutron scattering to characterize possible mediating excitations at higher energies. The authors observe a square-shaped continuum of excitations peaked at incommensurate positions. These excitations have energies greater than the superconducting pairing energy, are present at Tc, and have spectral weight far exceeding that of the 'resonance'. The discovery of similar excitations suggests that they are a general property of the copper oxides, and a candidate for mediating the electron pairing.

Details

  • Original title: The structure of the high-energy spin excitations in a high-transition-temperature superconductor.
  • Record ID : 2004-2696
  • Languages: English
  • Source: Nature - vol. 429 - n. 6991
  • Publication date: 2004/06/03
  • Document available for consultation in the library of the IIR headquarters only.

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