Hole superconductivity in the electron-doped superconductor PCCO

TL;DR

This study investigates the resistivity and Hall angle in electron-doped superconductor Pr_{2-x}Ce_xCuO_4, revealing that holes, rather than electrons, are responsible for superconductivity, with Hall angle measurements indicating optimal doping levels.

Contribution

It demonstrates that Hall angle measurements can identify optimal doping and suggests holes drive superconductivity in electron-doped cuprates, providing new insights into their electronic behavior.

Findings

Resistivity is doping independent at high temperatures.

Hall angle is sensitive to both holes and electrons.

Holes are responsible for superconductivity in PCCO.

Abstract

We measure the resistivity and Hall angle of the electron-doped superconductor Pr_{2-x}Ce_xCuO_4 as a function of doping and temperature. The resistivity Rho_xx at temperatures 100K < T < 300K is mostly sensitive to the electrons. Its temperature behavior is doping independent over a wide doping range and even for non superconducting samples. On the other hand,the transverse resistivity rho_xy, or the Hall angle theta_H where cot(theta_H) = rho_xx/rho_xy, is sensitive to both holes and electrons. Its temperature dependence is strongly influenced by doping, and cot(theta_H) can be used to identify optimum doping (the maximum Tc) even well above the critical temperature. These results lead to a conclusion that in electron doped cuprates holes are responsible for the superconductivity.