Ferroelastic fluctuations in high-temperature superconductors

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that ferroelastic fluctuations cause the specific heat jump at the superconducting transition in high-temperature superconductors and also contribute in low-temperature ones, highlighting a common lattice-related mechanism.

Contribution

It reveals ferroelastic fluctuations as a key factor in the specific heat jump across different types of superconductors, a novel insight into their thermodynamic behavior.

Findings

Ferroelastic fluctuations produce the specific heat jump in pnictide and cuprate superconductors.

The amplitude of lattice distortion due to ferroelastic fluctuations is estimated.

Ferroelastic fluctuations also contribute to the specific heat jump in low-temperature superconductors.

Abstract

It is shown that the specific heat jump at the superconducting transition temperature in pnictide and cuprate superconductors is produced by ferroelastic fluctuations just below the transition temperature. The amplitude of the corresponding lattice distortion is estimated. It is shown that a contribution from ferroelastic fluctuations to the specific heat jump is also present in low-temperature superconductors.