Hydrostatic-pressure effects on the pseudogap in slightly doped YBa2Cu3O7-{\delta} single crystals

TL;DR

This study investigates how hydrostatic pressure affects the pseudogap, resistivity, and superconducting properties of slightly doped YBa2Cu3O7-δ single crystals, revealing pressure-induced increases in pseudogap and coupling strength.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the pressure dependence of the pseudogap and superconducting parameters in YBa2Cu3O7-δ, including the first observation of pressure effects on the pseudogap shape at high temperatures.

Findings

Critical temperature increases with pressure at 5.1 K/GPa.

Pseudogap and BCS ratio increase with pressure, indicating stronger coupling.

The pseudogap shape at high temperatures is pressure-sensitive, affecting lattice dynamics.

Abstract

The influence of hydrostatic pressure up to P=1.05 GPa on resistivity R, excess conductivity ${\sigma}'(T)$ and pseudogap ${\Delta}*(T)$ is studied in slightly doped single crystals of YBa2Cu3O7-${\delta} (Tc=49.2 K, {\delta}~ 0.5)$. The critical temperature Tc is found to increase with increasing pressure at a rate dTc/dP = 5.1 K/GPa, while R(300)K decreases at a rate d(ln R)/dP = 0.19% 1/GPa. Near Tc, independently on pressure, the ${\sigma}'(T)$ is well described by the Aslamasov-Larkin and Hikami-Larkin fluctuation theories, demonstrating a 3D-2D crossover with increase of temperature. The crossover temperature To determines the coherence length along the c-axis ${\xi}c(0) \sim 3.43 A$ at P=0, which is found to decrease with increasing P. At the same time, both, ${\Delta}*$ and the BCS ratio $2{\Delta}*/kTc$ increase with increasing hydrostatic pressure at a rate $d(ln {\Delta}*)/dP= 0.36 1/GPa$, implying an increase of the coupling strength with increasing P. At low temperatures below Tp, the shape of the ${\Delta}*(T)$ curve is found to be almost independent on pressure. At high temperatures, the shape of the ${\Delta}*(T)$ curve changes noticeably with increasing P, suggesting a strong influence of pressure on the lattice dynamics. This unusual behavior is observed for the first time.