Origin of dips in tunneling dI/dV characteristics of cuprates

TL;DR

This paper investigates the dips in tunneling conductance spectra of cuprates, concluding they are artifacts from spectral superposition rather than intrinsic features.

Contribution

It demonstrates that the dips in tunneling spectra of cuprates arise from superposition effects, challenging previous interpretations of these features as physically meaningful.

Findings

Dips are due to superposition of peaks and humps

Dips have no intrinsic physical significance

Spectral features can be explained without invoking new physics

Abstract

Extensive efforts have been made to understand the electronic properties of high-Tc superconductors. One feature which has been discussed in the literature during the past few years is the dips in tunneling conductances obtained in cuprates. In this contribution, we focus our attention on the origin of these dips. On the basis of experimental data obtained in Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8 and YBa2Cu3O7, we show that the dips appear naturally in tunneling spectra due to a superposition of the peaks and humps and, therefore, have no physical meaning.