Microwave Conductivity Distinguishes Between Different d-wave States: Umklapp Scattering in Unconventional Superconductors

Abstract

Microwave conductivity experiments can directly measure the quasiparticle scattering rate in the superconducting state. We show that this, combined with knowledge of the Fermi surface geometry, allows one to distinguish between closely related superconducting order parameters, e.g., d${}_{x^2-y^2}$ and d${}_{xy}$ superconductivity. We benchmark this method on YBa${}_2$Cu${}_3$O${}_{7-\delta }$ and, unsurprisingly, confirm that this is a d${}_{x^2-y^2}$ superconductor. We then apply our method to $\kappa$-(BEDT-TTF)${}_2$Cu[N(CN)${}_2$]Br, which we discover is a d${}_{xy}$ superconductor.

5 pages, 3 figures