Linear arrays of non homogeneous Cu sites in the CuO2 plane, a new scenario for pairing mechanisms in a currugated-iron-like plane

TL;DR

This paper proposes a new scenario for high-temperature superconductivity involving linear arrays of non-homogeneous Cu sites in the CuO2 plane, characterized by a corrugated-iron-like structure and polaron ordering.

Contribution

It introduces a novel model of Cu site arrangements and electronic states, linking structural inhomogeneity to pairing mechanisms in high Tc superconductors.

Findings

Identification of non-homogeneous Cu site configurations with different Cu-O distances.

Observation of a corrugated-iron-like domain structure in the CuO2 plane.

Doping introduces electronic states with distinct symmetries supporting dual pairing components.

Abstract

Experimental results obtained by using x-ray absorption spectroscopy show that the configurations of Cu sites in the CuO2 plane of Bi 2:2:1:2 high Tc superconductors are not homogeneous. Different Cu sites are characterized by short 0.23 nm and long 0.245 nm Cu-O(apical) distances. The linear arrays of different Cu sites forming domains with a corrugated-iron like shape is proposed to be a key characteristic of superconducting domains in the CuO2 plane. The wavelength of the modulation is close to the superconducting coherence length. The ordering of the distorted Cu sites is suggested to be evidence for ordering of polarons driven by the pseudo Jahn Teller electron lattice interaction. The Cu L3 XAS experiments on Bi 2:2:1:2 system indicate that the electronic states added by doping, 4% have the a1 symmetry (i.e. with Cu 3d(3z2-r2), the combination of O (planar) 2px,y orbital with a1 symmetry L(a1), and O(apical) 2pz orbital character) and 15% have the b1 symmetry (3d(x2-y2) and the combination of O (planar) 2p(x,y) orbital with b1 symmetry L(b1)). This new scenario supports the pairing mechanisms for high Tc superconductivity in the presence of two components: 1) the more delocalized component with b1 symmetry and 2) the more localized component, with partially a1 symmetry associated with different parts of the Fermi surface.