Effect of the pseudogap on suppressing high energy inelastic neutron scattering in superconducting YBa2Cu3O6.5

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • C. Stock - , Indiana University Bloomington (Author)
  • R. A. Cowley - , Oxford Brookes University (OBU) (Author)
  • W. J. L. Buyers - , Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR) (Author)
  • C. D. Frost - , Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (Author)
  • J. W. Taylor - , Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (Author)
  • D. Peets - , University of British Columbia (Author)
  • R. Liang - , University of British Columbia (Author)
  • D. Bonn - , University of British Columbia (Author)
  • W. N. Hardy - , University of British Columbia (Author)

Abstract

We have measured the spin fluctuations in the YBa2Cu3O6.5 (YBCO6.5, T-c=59 K) superconductor at high-energy transfers above similar to 100 meV. Within experimental error, the momentum dependence is isotropic at high energies, similar to that measured in the insulator for two-dimensional spin waves, and the dispersion extrapolates back to the incommensurate wave vector at the elastic position. This result contrasts with previous expectations based on measurements around 50 meV which were suggestive of a softening of the spin-wave velocity with increased hole doping. Unlike the insulator, we observe a significant reduction in the intensity of the spin excitations for energy transfers above similar to 100 meV similar to that observed above similar to 200 meV in the YBCO6.35 (T-c=18 K) superconductor as the spin waves approach the zone boundary. We attribute this high-energy scale with a second gap and find agreement with measurements of the pseudogap in the cuprates associated with electronic anomalies along the antinodal positions. In addition, we observe a sharp peak at around 400 meV whose energy softens with increased hole doping. We discuss possible origins of this excitation including a hydrogen-related molecular excitation and a transition of electronic states between d levels.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number174505
Number of pages15
JournalPhysical review. B
Volume82
Issue number17
Publication statusPublished - 8 Nov 2010
Peer-reviewedYes
Externally publishedYes

External IDs

Scopus 78649697210

Keywords

Keywords

  • SPIN DYNAMICS, T-C, MAGNETIC EXCITATIONS, TRANSITION-TEMPERATURE, HYDROGEN EXCITATIONS, ELECTRONIC-STRUCTURE, DOPING DEPENDENCE, NORMAL-STATE, CRYSTAL, SUSCEPTIBILITY