From a Single-Band Metal to a High-Temperature Superconductor via Two Thermal Phase Transitions

Journal Article · Tue Nov 08 04:00:00 EST 2011 · Science 331:1579,2011

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1198415· OSTI ID:1029133

He, R. -H.; Hashimoto, M.; Karapetyan, H.; Koralek, J. D.; Hinton, J. P.; Testaud, J. P.; Nathan, V.; Yoshida, Y.; Yao, H.; Tanaka, K.; Meevasana, W.; Moore, R. G.; Lu, D. H.; Mo, S. -K.; Ishikado, M.; Eisaki, H.; Hussain, Z.; Devereaux, T. P.; Kivelson, S. A.; Orenstein, J. ; Kapitulnik, A.

The nature of the pseudogap phase of cuprate high-temperature superconductors is one of the most important unsolved problems in condensed matter physics. We studied the commencement of the pseudogap state at temperature T* using three different techniques (angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, polar Kerr effect, and time-resolved reflectivity) on the same optimally-doped Bi2201 crystals. We observe the coincident onset at T* of a particle-hole asymmetric antinodal gap, a non-zero Kerr rotation, and a change in the relaxational dynamics, consistent with a phase transition. Upon further cooling, spectroscopic signatures of superconductivity begin to grow close to the superconducting transition temperature (T{sub c}), entangled in an energy-momentum dependent fashion with the pre-existing pseudogap features.

• Research Organization: SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory (SLAC)
• Sponsoring Organization: US DOE Office of Science (DOE SC)
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-76SF00515
• OSTI ID: 1029133
• Report Number(s): SLAC-PUB-14533
• Journal Information: Science 331:1579,2011, Journal Name: Science 331:1579,2011
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS
SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND SUPERFLUIDITY
CUPRATES
HIGH-TC SUPERCONDUCTORS
KERR EFFECT
MATSCI
PHOTOEMISSION
PHYSICS
REFLECTIVITY
ROTATION
SPECTROSCOPY
SUPERCONDUCTIVITY
TRANSITION TEMPERATURE