Boundary Effects and the Order Parameter Symmetry in High-Tc Superconductors

TL;DR

This paper explores how surface regions with different order parameter symmetries in high-Tc superconductors can explain conflicting phase-sensitive measurements, highlighting surface effects that influence observed properties.

Contribution

It proposes that surface states with altered order parameter symmetry account for discrepancies in experimental measurements of high-Tc superconductor symmetry.

Findings

Surface states can cause phase measurement conflicts.

Surface effects are testable and influence superconductor properties.

Surface symmetry differs from bulk in high-Tc superconductors.

Abstract

Apparently conflicting phase-sensitive measurements of the order parameter symmetry in the high-T$_c$ superconductors may be explained by regions near surfaces in which the order parameter symmetry is different than in the bulk. These surface states can lead to interesting and testable effects.