Thermodynamic transitions in inhomogeneous cuprate superconductors
Abstract
Description
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.
4 pages, 6 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev. B
4 pages, 6 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev. B