Quasiclassical Theory of Twin Boundaries in High- Tc Superconductors

W. Belzig, C. Bruder, and M. Sigrist
Phys. Rev. Lett. 80, 4285 – Published 11 May 1998
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Abstract

We investigate the electronic structure of twin boundaries in orthorhombically distorted high- Tc materials using the quasiclassical theory of superconductivity. At low temperatures we find a local instability to a time-reversal symmetry breaking state at the twin boundary. This state yields spontaneous currents along the twin boundary that are microscopically explained by the structure of the quasiparticle bound states. We calculate the local density of states and find a splitting in the zero-bias peak once the spontaneous currents set in. This splitting is measurable by STM techniques and is a unique signature of time-reversal breaking states at a twin boundary.

  • Received 12 January 1998

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.80.4285

©1998 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

W. Belzig1, C. Bruder1, and M. Sigrist2

  • 1Institut für Theoretische Festkörperphysik, Universität Karlsruhe, D-76128 Karlsruhe, Germany
  • 2Yukawa Institute for Theoretical Physics, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-01, Japan

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Vol. 80, Iss. 19 — 11 May 1998

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