Reaffirming the d(x2-y2) superconducting gap using the autocorrelation angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy of Bi1.5Pb0.55Sr1.6La0.4CuO(6+δ)

Phys Rev Lett. 2011 Apr 22;106(16):167003. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.106.167003. Epub 2011 Apr 22.

Abstract

Knowledge of the gap function is important to understand the pairing mechanism for high-temperature (T(c)) superconductivity. However, Fourier transform scanning tunneling spectroscopy (FT STS) and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) in the cuprates have reported contradictory gap functions, with FT-STS results deviating strongly from a canonical d(x2-y2) form. By applying an "octet model" analysis to autocorrelation ARPES, we reveal that a contradiction occurs because the octet model does not consider the effects of matrix elements and the pseudogap. This reaffirms the canonical d(x2-y2) superconducting gap around the node, which can be directly determined from ARPES. Further, our study suggests that the FT-STS reported fluctuating superconductivity around the node at far above T(c) is not necessary to explain the existence of the quasiparticle interference at low energy.