"Superconductors of a Different Stripe: Charge Inhomogeneity and Superconductivity in Copper Oxides"John Tranquada , Brookhaven National Lab. [Host: D. Louca]
ABSTRACT:
The standard model of electronic structure in solids is founded on the notion
that electrons inevitably delocalize. In contrast, strong Coulomb repulsion in
certain transition-metal oxide compounds can cause electron localization,
resulting in the so-called "Mott-insulator" state. Cuprate superconductors
consist of electronically-doped Mott insulators. Much of the continuing
controversy over how to understand the cuprates concerns the issue of whether
one can apply more or less conventional concepts of delocalized electrons, or
whether radical new concepts are necessary. I will present experimental
evidence, especially from neutron scattering, that the competition been kinetic
and Coulomb energies leads to spatial inhomogeneities of charge carriers and
antiferromagnetic correlations. It is possible that dynamic inhomogeneities
are essential to achieving superconductivity at high temperature.
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Colloquium Friday, January 16, 2004 4:00 PM Physics Building, Room 204 Note special time. Note special room. |
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