Oscillation of Tc depending on the number of CuO2 planes in the cuprates

TL;DR

This paper presents a model explaining how the critical temperature (Tc) in cuprate superconductors oscillates with the number of CuO2 planes, aligning well with experimental data and highlighting electron-phonon coupling's role.

Contribution

The study introduces a Tc formula incorporating shear modulus variations, revealing oscillations with plane number and predicting similar effects in other physical quantities.

Findings

Maximum Tc occurs at three CuO2 planes.

Good agreement between model predictions and experimental data.

Oscillations in Tc suggest electron-phonon coupling dominance.

Abstract

Using the Tc formula given by BCS, together with a shear modulus varying with the numbering of planes, we can demonstrate that Tc oscillates depending on the number of the cuprate planes. The maximum of Tc in these oscillations appears for three planes irrespective of the cuprate family. Comparison with experimental data shows good agreement and suggests that the electron-phonon coupling predominate in the superconductivity of these materials. This model predicts that such oscillations can also occur in many others physical quantities that depend on Tc. The new Tc formula shows interesting prospects towards room temperature superconductors.