Nanoscopic Filters as the Origin of d Wave Energy Gaps

TL;DR

This paper proposes that nanoscopic ferroelastic filters are the origin of d wave energy gaps in superconductors, providing a new orbital-based derivation that aligns with multiple experimental observations.

Contribution

It introduces a novel nanoscopic filter model explaining d wave gaps, derived without spin assumptions, and predicts Raman signature reversals between different materials.

Findings

Resolved checkerboard pattern of gaps in BSCCO via STM

Derived anisotropic d wave gap consistent with ARPES and FT-STM data

Predicted Raman gap signature reversal between BSCCO and LSCO

Abstract

A ferroelastic nanoscopic checkerboard pattern of pseudo- and superconductive gaps has been resolved by scanning tunneling microscopy on BSCCO. Using this pattern one can derive [not assume] a macroscopic anisotropic d wave superconductive energy gap that agrees well with angle-resolved photoemission and Fourier transform scanning tunneling microscopy data. The derivation is orbital only [no spins], it explains chemical trends in Raman scattering peak positions and strengths, and it predicts an unexpected reversal of anisotropic Raman gap signatures between BSCCO and LSCO, in good agreement with experiment.