Thermodynamics of Eliashberg theory in the weak-coupling limit

TL;DR

This paper investigates the weak-coupling thermodynamics of Eliashberg theory, revealing deviations from BCS predictions in free energy and specific heat, but confirming universal ratios in the weak-coupling limit.

Contribution

It provides a detailed numerical analysis of thermodynamic quantities in Eliashberg theory, highlighting deviations and confirming universal ratios compared to BCS theory.

Findings

Difference in specific heat differs by a factor of 1/√e from BCS.

The specific-heat discontinuity ratio approaches the BCS value of 1.43.

Thermodynamic ratios tend to universal values in the weak-coupling limit.

Abstract

The weak-coupling limits of the gap and critical temperature computed within Eliashberg theory surprisingly deviate from the BCS theory predictions by a factor of $1/\sqrt{e}$. Interestingly, however, the ratio of these two quantities agrees for both theories. Motivated by this result, here we investigate the weak-coupling thermodynamics of Eliashberg theory, with a central focus on the free energy, specific heat, and the critical magnetic field. In particular, we numerically calculate the difference between the superconducting and normal-state specific heats, and we find that this quantity differs from its BCS counterpart by a factor of $1/\sqrt{e}$, for all temperatures below $T_{c}$. We find that the dimensionless ratio of the specific-heat discontinuity to the normal-state specific heat reduces to the BCS prediction given by $\Delta C_{V}(T_{c})/C_{V,n}(T_c)\approx1.43$. This gives further evidence to the expectation that all dimensionless ratios tend to their "universal values" in the weak-coupling limit.