Physics – Condensed Matter – Superconductivity
Scientific paper
2009-04-02
New Journal of Physics 11, 055065 (2009)
Physics
Condensed Matter
Superconductivity
10 pages, 3 figures, Submitted to New Journal of Physics, for a focus issue on "Superconductors with Exotic Symmetries"
Scientific paper
The structure of the superconducting gap provides important clues on the symmetry of the order parameter and the pairing mechanism. The presence of nodes in the gap function imposed by symmetry implies an unconventional order parameter, other than s-wave. Here we show how measurements of the thermal conductivity at very low temperature can be used to determine whether such nodes are present in a particular superconductor, and shed light on their nature and location. We focus on the residual linear term at T goes to 0. A finite value in zero magnetic field is strong evidence for symmetry-imposed nodes, and the dependence on impurity scattering can distinguish between a line of nodes or point nodes. Application of a magnetic field probes the low-energy quasiparticle excitations, whether associated with nodes or with a small value of the gap on some part of the Fermi surface, as in a multi-band superconductor. We frame our discussion around archetypal materials: Nb for s-wave, Tl2Ba2CuO(6+\delta) for d-wave, Sr2RuO4 for p-wave, and NbSe2 for multi-band superconductivity. In that framework, we discuss three heavy-fermion superconductors: CeIrIn5, CeCoIn5 and UPt3.
Petrovic C.
Shakeripour H.
Taillefer Louis
No associations
LandOfFree
Heat transport as a probe of superconducting gap structure does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Heat transport as a probe of superconducting gap structure, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Heat transport as a probe of superconducting gap structure will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-63960