Thermodynamic transitions in inhomogeneous cuprate superconductors

J. W. Loram; J. L. Tallon

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arXiv · cond-mat/0609305

Thermodynamic transitions in inhomogeneous cuprate superconductors

J. W. Loram·J. L. Tallon

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Abstract

Scanning tunneling spectroscopy studies on Bi$_2$Sr$_2$CaCu$_2$O$_{8+δ}$ suggest the presence of electronic inhomogeneity with a large spatial variation in gap size. Andersen {\it et al} have modelled this variation by assuming a spatially-varying pairing interaction. We show that their calculated specific heat is incompatible with the experimental data which exhibit narrow transitions. This calls into question the now-common assumption of gap and pairing inhomogeneity.

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J. W. Loram, J. L. Tallon. 2006-09-13. Thermodynamic transitions in inhomogeneous cuprate superconductors. https://arxiv.org/abs/cond-mat/0609305

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