Interlayer tunneling mechanism for high-tc superconductivity: comparison with C axis infrared experiments

Area of Science:

• Condensed Matter Physics
• Materials Science
• Superconductivity

Background:

• High-transition temperature (high-T(c)) cuprates are a critical area of superconductivity research.
• Understanding the fundamental properties of these materials is key to advancing the field.
• Previous studies have explored various aspects of cuprate superconductivity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To interpret recent infrared measurements in (La,Sr)2CuO4.
• To propose a model where condensation energy originates solely from interlayer Josephson coupling.
• To derive key superconducting parameters, penetration depth (λ) and coherence length (ξ), without adjustable parameters.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of c-axis polarized infrared measurements.
• Application of a theoretical framework based on Josephson coupling.
• Parameter-free determination of superconducting properties.

Main Results:

• The entire condensation energy in (La,Sr)2CuO4 can be attributed to interlayer Josephson coupling.
• This interpretation yields a parameter-free calculation of penetration depth (λ).
• The calculated coherence length (ξ) also shows agreement with experimental values.

Conclusions:

• Interlayer Josephson coupling plays a dominant role in the superconductivity of (La,Sr)2CuO4.
• The proposed model offers a straightforward method for determining fundamental superconducting parameters.
• The findings provide valuable insights into the physics of high-T(c) cuprates.