Development of Density-Functional Theory for a Plasmon-Assisted Superconducting State: Application to Lithium Under High Pressures

Ryosuke Akashi and Ryotaro Arita
Phys. Rev. Lett. 111, 057006 – Published 1 August 2013

Abstract

We extend the density-functional theory for superconductors (SCDFT) to take account of the dynamical structure of the screened Coulomb interaction. We construct an exchange-correlation kernel in the SCDFT gap equation on the basis of the random-phase approximation, where electronic collective excitations such as plasmons are properly treated. Through an application to fcc lithium under high pressures, we demonstrate that our new kernel gives higher transition temperatures (Tc) when the plasmon and phonon cooperatively mediate pairing and it improves the agreement between the calculated and experimentally observed Tc. The present formalism opens the door to nonempirical studies on unconventional electron mechanisms of superconductivity based on density-functional theory.

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  • Received 3 March 2013

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.111.057006

© 2013 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Ryosuke Akashi1 and Ryotaro Arita1,2

  • 1Department of Applied Physics, The University of Tokyo, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
  • 2JST-PRESTO, Kawaguchi, Saitama 332-0012, Japan

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Issue

Vol. 111, Iss. 5 — 2 August 2013

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