The Superconducting Condensation Energy and an Antiferromagnetic Exchange Based Pairing Mechanism

TL;DR

This paper explores the relationship between superconducting condensation energy and exchange energy in the t-J model, proposing neutron scattering as a method to test an antiferromagnetic exchange-based pairing mechanism.

Contribution

It introduces an analogous relationship between condensation energy and exchange energy in the t-J model, suggesting a new experimental approach to test pairing mechanisms.

Findings

Proposes measuring exchange energy changes via neutron scattering.

Links condensation energy to antiferromagnetic exchange interactions.

Highlights potential evidence for exchange-based pairing in superconductors.

Abstract

For the traditional low T_c superconductors, the superconducting condensation energy is proportional to the change in energy of the ionic lattice between the normal and superconducting state, providing a clear link between pairing and the electron-ion interaction. Here, for the t-J model, we discuss an analogous relationship between the superconducting condensation energy and the change in the exchange energy between the normal and superconducting states. We point out the possibility of measuring this using neutron scattering and note that such a measurement, while certainly difficult, could provide important evidence for an exchange interaction-based pairing mechanism.