Anomalous electron spectrum and its relation to peak structure of electron scattering rate in cuprate superconductors

TL;DR

This paper explains the peak-dip-hump structure in cuprate superconductors by linking it to a sharp peak in the electron scattering rate, using a kinetic-energy driven superconducting mechanism.

Contribution

It introduces a theoretical framework that connects electron scattering peaks with spectral features in cuprates, revealing the role of spin excitations in these phenomena.

Findings

Peak in scattering rate occurs around antinodal and nodal regions.

Peak disappears at hot spots, explaining the spectral structure.

Sharp scattering rate peak causes the peak-dip-hump in spectra.

Abstract

The recent discovery of a direct link between the sharp peak in the electron quasiparticle scattering rate of cuprate superconductors and the well-known peak-dip-hump structure in the electron quasiparticle excitation spectrum is calling for an explanation. Within the framework of the kinetic-energy driven superconducting mechanism, the complicated line-shape in the electron quasiparticle excitation spectrum of cuprate superconductors is investigated. It is shown that the interaction between electrons by the exchange of spin excitations generates a notable peak structure in the electron quasiparticle scattering rate around the antinodal and nodal regions. However, this peak structure disappears at the hot spots, which leads to that the striking peak-dip-hump structure is developed around the antinodal and nodal regions, and vanishes at the hot spots. The theory also confirms that the sharp peak observed in the electron quasiparticle scattering rate is directly responsible for the remarkable peak-dip-hump structure in the electron quasiparticle excitation spectrum of cuprate superconductors.