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Observing the origin of superconductivity in quantum critical metals

J.-H. She, B. J. Overbosch, Y.-W. Sun, Y. Liu, K. E. Schalm, J. A. Mydosh, and J. Zaanen
Phys. Rev. B 84, 144527 – Published 31 October 2011
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Abstract

Despite intense efforts during the last 25 years, the physics of unconventional superconductors, including the cuprates with a very high transition temperature, is still a controversial subject. It is believed that superconductivity in many of these strongly correlated metallic systems originates in the physics of quantum phase transitions, but quite diverse perspectives have emerged on the fundamentals of the electron-pairing physics, ranging from Hertz-style critical spin fluctuation glue to the holographic superconductivity of string theory. Here we demonstrate that the gross energy scaling differences that are behind these various pairing mechanisms are directly encoded in the frequency and temperature dependence of the dynamical pair susceptibility. This quantity can be measured directly via the second-order Josephson effect and it should be possible employing modern experimental techniques to build a “pairing telescope” that gives a direct view on the origin of quantum critical superconductivity.

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  • Received 17 August 2011

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.84.144527

©2011 American Physical Society

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Susceptible to Pairing

Published 31 October 2011

The theoretical prediction of the frequency and temperature dependent tendency toward Cooper pairing in five different scenarios allows experimental identification of mechanisms of superconductivity.

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Authors & Affiliations

J.-H. She, B. J. Overbosch, Y.-W. Sun, Y. Liu, K. E. Schalm, J. A. Mydosh, and J. Zaanen

  • Instituut-Lorentz for Theoretical Physics, Universiteit Leiden, P.O. Box 9506, NE-2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands

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Issue

Vol. 84, Iss. 14 — 1 October 2011

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