Manifestation of the magnetic resonance mode in the nodal quasiparticle lifetime in superconducting cuprates

TL;DR

This study reveals a new feature in the scattering rate of nodal quasiparticles in superconducting cuprates, indicating magnetic interactions play a significant role and challenging phonon-mediated pairing theories.

Contribution

The paper introduces a high-resolution photoemission analysis uncovering a doping-independent Fermi liquid behavior and a doping-dependent magnetic contribution in quasiparticle scattering.

Findings

Identification of a new 'kink' in scattering rate

Evidence for magnetic origin of doping-dependent scattering

Challenge to phonon-mediated pairing mechanisms

Abstract

Studying the nodal quasiparticles in superconducting cuprates by photoemission with highly improved momentum resolution, we show that a new "kink" feature in the scattering rate is a key to uncover the nature of electron correlations in these compounds. Our data provide evidence that the main doping independent contribution to the scattering can be well understood in terms of the conventional Fermi liquid model, while the additional doping dependent contribution has a magnetic origin. This sheds doubt on applicability of a phonon-mediated pairing mechanism to high temperature superconductors.