Theory of vortex lattice effects on STM spectra in d-wave superconductors

TL;DR

This paper develops a theoretical framework for understanding how vortex lattices influence STM spectra in d-wave superconductors, incorporating quasiparticle wavefunction extension and band structure effects, and compares results with experimental data.

Contribution

It introduces a comprehensive theory accounting for quasiparticle wavefunction extension and band effects in vortex lattice STM spectra of d-wave superconductors.

Findings

Oscillatory structures in STM spectra linked to van Hove singularities.

Theoretical results align with experimental data for high-temperature cuprates.

Effects of temperature and scattering rates on spectra are analyzed.

Abstract

Theory of scanning tunneling spectroscopy of low energy quasiparticle (QP) states in vortex lattices of d-wave superconductors is developed taking account of the effects caused by an extremely large extension of QP wavefunctions in the nodal directions and the band structure in the QP spectrum. The oscillatory structures in STM spectra, which correspond to van Hove singularities are analysed. Theoretical calculations carried out for finite temperatures and scattering rates are compared with recent experimental data for high temperature cuprates.