Incoherent Pair Tunneling as a Probe of the Cuprate Pseudogap

TL;DR

This paper proposes using incoherent pair tunneling in cuprate junctions to detect pairing correlations in the pseudogap phase, providing a potential experimental probe for understanding high-temperature superconductivity.

Contribution

It introduces a method to detect pairing correlations in the pseudogap phase via incoherent pair tunneling in cuprate junctions, linking experimental techniques with pseudogap physics.

Findings

Incoherent pair tunneling can reveal pairing correlations in the pseudogap phase.

Suitable junction characteristics are identified for experimental detection.

The approach aligns with recent cuprate tunneling device developments.

Abstract

We argue that incoherent pair tunneling in a cuprate superconductor junction with an optimally doped superconducting and an underdoped normal lead can be used to detect the presence of pairing correlations in the pseudogap phase of the underdoped lead. We estimate that the junction characteristics most suitable for studying the pair tunneling current are close to recently manufactured cuprate tunneling devices.