Physics – Condensed Matter – Superconductivity
Scientific paper
2006-03-28
Phys. Rev. B, 71, 014506 (2005)
Physics
Condensed Matter
Superconductivity
8 pages, 5 figures
Scientific paper
10.1103/PhysRevB.71.014506
We show that the anomalous decrease in the thermal conductivity of cuprates below 300 mK, as has been observed recently in several cuprate materials including Pr$_{2-x}$Ce$_x$CuO$_{7-\delta}$ in the field-induced normal state, is due to the thermal decoupling of phonons and electrons in the sample. Upon lowering the temperature, the phonon-electron heat transfer rate decreases and, as a result, a heat current bottleneck develops between the phonons, which can in some cases be primarily responsible for heating the sample, and the electrons. The contribution that the electrons make to the total low-$T$ heat current is thus limited by the phonon-electron heat transfer rate, and falls rapidly with decreasing temperature, resulting in the apparent low-$T$ downturn of the thermal conductivity. We obtain the temperature and magnetic field dependence of the low-$T$ thermal conductivity in the presence of phonon-electron thermal decoupling and find good agreement with the data in both the normal and superconducting states.
Paglione Johnpierre
Smith Mark F.
Taillefer Louis
Walker M. B.
No associations
LandOfFree
The Origin of Anomalous Low-Temperature Downturns in the Thermal Conductivity of Cuprates 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 The Origin of Anomalous Low-Temperature Downturns in the Thermal Conductivity of Cuprates, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The Origin of Anomalous Low-Temperature Downturns in the Thermal Conductivity of Cuprates will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-463151