Enhanced superconducting gap in the outer CuO${}_2$ plane of the trilayer cuprate (Hg,Re)Ba${}_2$Ca${}_2$Cu${}_3$O${}_{8+\delta }$

Abstract

We report the first observation of a momentum-resolved superconducting gap in the Hg-based trilayer cuprate, which holds the highest record of superconducting transition temperature ($T_{\mathrm{c}}$) at ambient pressure. By angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy utilizing a micro-focused beam, clear quasiparticle dispersions originating from the inner and outer CuO${}_2$ planes (IP and OP, respectively) were separately identified. The magnitude of the superconducting gap for the IP was comparable to that of the Bi-based trilayer cuprate with a lower $T_{\mathrm{c}}$. In contrast, the superconducting gap for the OP was significantly larger than that of the Bi-based one. While strong pairing in the IP has been highlighted as the key element of trilayer cuprates, the present results suggest that the enhanced pairing energy in the OP is essential for the highest $T_{\mathrm{c}}$ at ambient pressure realized in the Hg-based trilayer cuprate.

Accepted for publication in Phys. Rev. Lett