Disentangling Pseudogap from Superconductivity in the Cuprates by Scanning Tunneling Microscopy

* 技术摘要 * 高温超导体（HTS）中电子态的性质和行为是许多争论的中心。 在超导转变温度以上观察到的赝能隙态被一些人视为超导态的先驱。 其他人认为这是一个竞争阶段。尽管有大量的实验和理论工作，这个问题仍然是高度争论和中心，我们的理解HTS的一般。这个个人研究者奖支持温度依赖扫描隧道显微镜（STM）的这种关系的调查。实验将在Bi 2Sr 2CuO 6 +x，其中我们以前观察到的竞争相的证据，和YBa 2Cu 3 O 6 +x，这是更常见的研究，但尚未调查与最近开发的STM技术。超高真空变温扫描隧道显微镜是一项要求严格的实验技术; HTS作为广泛的强关联电子系统的一部分，是许多凝聚态物理学的中心。因此，这个项目将是学生的一个很好的训练基地。此外，该奖项将支持科学推广到广泛的受众，这是由高温超导的引人注目的科学奥秘和技术承诺所驱动的。非技术摘要 * 超导体是一种可以无电阻地传输电流的材料，并且不会因发热而导致能量损失。不幸的是，这种技术上有用的特性只在非常低的温度下才能打开，低于“转变温度”。就在20多年前，人们发现了一类新的“高温超导体”，其转变温度接近100 K。与室温（300 K）相比，这仍然非常冷，但导致了能源基础设施和科学发展等技术的紧张。这个个人研究者奖支持高温超导体的实验研究，目的是了解它们在转变温度以上（甚至在某些材料中高于室温）的非常规性质与超导性之间的关系。有人提出，这些高温性质与超导性竞争或干扰，并且通过理解和控制它们，转变温度可能会显着增加。在调查这一建议的同时，学生将接受广泛的实验技术培训。此外，高温超导的令人信服的科学奥秘和技术前景使科学推广到广泛的受众，也得到了这个奖项的支持。

****TECHNICAL ABSTRACT****The nature and behavior of electronic states in high temperature superconductors (HTS) are the center of much debate. The pseudogap state, observed above the superconducting transition temperature, is seen by some as a precursor to the superconducting state. Others view it as a competing phase. Despite much experimental and theoretical work, this question remains highly debated and central to our understanding of HTS in general. This individual investigator award supports the investigation of this relationship by temperature dependent scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). Experiments will be performed in both Bi2Sr2CuO6+x, in which we have previously observed evidence for a competing phase, and YBa2Cu3O6+x, which is more commonly studied but has not been investigated with recently developed STM techniques. Ultrahigh vacuum, variable temperature scanning tunneling microscopy is a demanding experimental technique; HTS, as part of the broad class of strongly correlated electron systems, are at the center of much condensed matter physics. Hence this project will be an excellent training ground for students. Furthermore, this award will support science outreach to broad audiences driven by the compelling scientific mystery and technological promise of high temperature superconductivity.****NON-TECHNICAL ABSTRACT****Superconductors are materials that can carry current without resistance and resultant energy losses through heat generation. Unfortunately, this technologically useful property only turns on at very low temperatures, below a "transition temperature." Just over twenty years ago a new class of "High Temperature Superconductors" were discovered, with transition temperatures near 100 K. This is still very cold compared to room temperature (300 K), but has led to intense technological, such as energy infrastructure, and scientific development. This individual investigator award supports the experimental investigation of high temperature superconductors with the goal of understanding the relationship between their unconventional properties above the transition temperature (even above room temperature in some materials) and superconductivity. It has been proposed that these higher temperature properties compete, or interfere, with superconductivity, and that by understanding and controlling them transition temperatures may be significantly increased. While investigating this proposal, students will be trained in a wide range of experimental techniques. Furthermore, the compelling scientific mystery and technological promise of high temperature superconductivity enables scientific outreach to broad audiences, also supported by this award.