Universal superconducting precursor in the cuprates

Abstract

The nature of the superconducting (SC) precursor in the cuprates has been the subject of intense interest, with profound implications for both the normal and the SC states. Different experimental probes have led to vastly disparate conclusions on the temperature range of superconducting fluctuations. The main challenges have been to separate the SC response from complex normal-state behavior, and to distinguish the underlying behavior of the quintessential CuO${}_2$ layers from compound-specific properties. Here we reveal remarkably simple and universal behavior of the SC precursor using torque magnetometry, a unique thermodynamic probe with extremely high sensitivity to SC diamagnetism. We comprehensively study four distinct cuprate compounds: single-CuO${}_2$-layer La${}_{2-x}$Sr${}_x$CuO${}_4$ (LSCO), Bi${}_2$(Sr,La)${}_2$CuO${}_{6+\delta }$ (Bi2201) and HgBa${}_2$CuO${}_{4+\delta }$ (Hg1201), and double-layer Bi${}_2$Sr${}_2$Ca${}_{0.95}$Y${}_{0.05}$CuO${}_{8+\delta }$ (Bi2212). Our approach, which focuses on the nonlinear diamagnetic response, completely removes normal-state contributions and thus allows us to trace the diamagnetic signal above Tc with great precision. We find that SC diamagnetism vanishes in an unusual, yet surprisingly simple exponential manner, marked by a universal temperature scale that is independent of compound and Tc. We discuss the distinct possibility that this unusual behavior signifies the proliferation of SC clusters as a result of the intrinsic inhomogeneity known to be an inherent property of the cuprates.

arXiv comment21 pages, 8 figures. arXiv admin note: substantial text overlap with arXiv:1210.6942

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• Resistivity phase diagram of cuprates revisited
• High-T${}_c$ cuprates: a story of two electron subsystems
• Unconventional short-range structural fluctuations in cuprate high-$T_c$ superconductors
• Diffuse Scattering from Correlated Electron Systems
• A theory of coupled dual dynamics of macroscopic phase coherence and microscopic electronic fluids: effect of dephasing on cuprate superconductivity
• Characterization of two electronic subsystems in cuprates through optical conductivity
• Percolative Superconductivity in Electron-Doped Sr${}_{1-x}$Eu${}_x$CuO${}_{2+y}$ Films
• Anisotropic Time-Domain Electronic Response in Cuprates
• Theory of symmetry-resolved quench-drive spectroscopy: Nonlinear response of phase-fluctuating superconductors
• Nanoscale structural correlations in a model cuprate superconductor
• Comment on 'Temperature range of superconducting fluctuations above $T_c$ in YBa${}_2$Cu${}_3$O${}_{7-\delta }$ single crystals'
• Phenomenological model for the third-harmonic magnetic response of superconductors: application to Sr${}_2$RuO${}_4$
• Signature of Unconventional Superconductivity in the High Temperature Normal State Resistivity