Electronic Structure of the Cuprate Superconducting and Pseudogap Phases from Spectroscopic Imaging STM
We survey the use of spectroscopic imaging scanning tunneling microscopy (SI-STM) to probe the electronic structure of underdoped cuprates. Two distinct classes of electronic states are observed in both the d-wave superconducting (dSC) and the pseudogap (PG) phases. The first class consists of the dispersive Bogoliubov quasiparticle excitations of a homogeneous d-wave superconductor, existing below a lower energy scale E = {Delta}{sub 0}. We find that the Bogoliubov quasiparticle interference (QPI) signatures of delocalized Cooper pairing are restricted to a k-space arc, which terminates near the lines connecting k = {+-}({pi}/a{sub 0},0) to k = {+-}(0,{pi}/a{sub 0}). This arc shrinks continuously with decreasing hole density such that Luttinger's theorem could be satisfied if it represents the front side of a hole-pocket that is bounded behind by the lines between k = {+-}({pi}/a{sub 0},0) and k = {+-}(0,{pi}/a{sub 0}). In both phases, the only broken symmetries detected for the |E| < {Delta}{sub 0} states are those of a d-wave superconductor. The second class of states occurs proximate to the PG energy scale E = {Delta}{sub 1}. Here the non-dispersive electronic structure breaks the expected 90{sup o}-rotational symmetry of electronic structure within each unit cell, at least down to 180{sup o}-rotational symmetry. This electronic symmetry breaking was first detected as an electronic inequivalence at the two oxygen sites within each unit cell by using a measure of nematic (C{sub 2}) symmetry. Incommensurate non-dispersive conductance modulations, locally breaking both rotational and translational symmetries, coexist with this intra-unit-cell electronic symmetry breaking at E = {Delta}{sub 1}. Their characteristic wavevector Q is determined by the k-space points where Bogoliubov QPI terminates and therefore changes continuously with doping. The distinct broken electronic symmetry states (intra-unit-cell and finite Q) coexisting at E {approx} {Delta}{sub 1} are found to be indistinguishable in the dSC and PG phases. The next challenge for SI-STM studies is to determine the relationship of the E {approx} {Delta}{sub 1} broken symmetry electronic states with the PG phase, and with the E < {Delta}{sub 0} states associated with Cooper pairing.
- Research Organization:
- Brookhaven National Lab. (BNL), Upton, NY (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- DOE - OFFICE OF SCIENCE
- DOE Contract Number:
- DE-AC02-98CH10886
- OSTI ID:
- 1033198
- Report Number(s):
- BNL-96300-2011-JA; R&D Project: PM-007; KC0202020; TRN: US1200298
- Journal Information:
- New Journal of Physics, Vol. 13
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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