Eliashberg analysis of the optical conductivity in superconducting Pr$_2$CuO$_{x}$ ($x \simeq 4$)

TL;DR

This study investigates the superconducting properties of Pr$_2$CuO$_x$ films using optical measurements and Eliashberg analysis, confirming d-wave pairing and impurity effects with minimal changes in the electron-boson spectral function across the transition.

Contribution

First comprehensive optical and Eliashberg analysis of Pr$_2$CuO$_x$ superconductors demonstrating d-wave symmetry and impurity scattering effects.

Findings

Superconducting Pr$_2$CuO$_x$ films exhibit d-wave pairing symmetry.

Impurity scattering is in the unitary limit.

The electron-boson spectral function shows minimal change across $T_c$.

Abstract

Superconducting Pr$_2$CuO$_x$, $x\simeq 4$ films with $T^\prime$ structure and a $T_c$ of 27 K have been investigated by millimeter-wave transmission and broadband (infrared-to-ultraviolet) reflectivity measurements in the normal and superconducting state. The results obtained by both experimental methods show a consistent picture of the superconducting condensate formation below $T_c$. An Eliashberg analysis of the data proves $d$-wave superconductivity and unitary-limit impurity scattering of the charge carriers below $T_{c}$. The derived electron-exchange boson interaction spectral function $I^2\chi(\omega)$ shows only marginal changes at the superconducting transition with the mass enhancement factor $\lambda$, the first inverse moment of $I^2\chi(\omega)$, being equal to 4.16 at 30 K and to 4.25 at 4 K.