Examination of the claim by Loram and Tallon that the energy-resolved STM results, in their apparent inhomogeneity, misrepresent the true bulk behaviour of the HTSC cuprates

TL;DR

This paper critically examines the claim that energy-resolved STM results misrepresent the true bulk behavior of high-temperature superconductors, proposing a reconciliation with specific heat data within a negative-U framework.

Contribution

It offers a novel analysis aligning STM and specific heat results, challenging prior claims of inhomogeneity misinterpretation in HTSC cuprates.

Findings

Reconciles STM and specific heat experimental results

Supports the importance of electronic inhomogeneity in HTSC

Proposes a negative-U scenario as a unifying explanation

Abstract

An attempt is made at reconciling the results of the prime experiments on the high temperature superconducting cuprates from Loram et al. and Davis et al. relating to electronic specific heat and to energy-resolved scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM), respectively, over the question of electronic inhomogeneity. I see the latter, at the appropriate level, as being essential to the evolution of HTSC in these materials, and try to bring into alignment the above key works, not only with each other, but with a wealth of related work. This is undertaken around a negative-U scenario long advocated by the author.