Multicomponent superconductivity: the complex interplay of spin charge and lattice

Abstract

High temperature superconducting copper oxides (HTSC) have been shown to be intrinsically heterogeneous. Consequently multiple ground states coexist, which are either in competition with or of support to superconductivity. Here it is shown that spin, charge and lattice are intrinsically coupled to form a composite of locally charge carrying distorted areas in an antiferromagnetic matrix on the regular lattice. The dynamical interplay between both induces level shifts together with band narrowing of the spin and charge related bands, by means of which interband interactions are possible which lead to a substantial increase in the superconducting transition temperature T _c . Further consequences of this multicomponent approach as, for example, isotope effects are discussed.

Acknowledgement

It is a pleasure to acknowledge many useful discussions with A. R. Bishop, H. Keller, R. Micnas, K. A. Müller and A. Simon.