Parametrically amplified Josephson plasma waves in YBa_2Cu_3O_(6+x): evidence for local superconducting fluctuations up to the pseudogap temperature $T^*$

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Autori principali: Michael, Marios H., Demler, Eugene, Lee, Patrick
Natura: Preprint
Pubblicazione: 2025
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author Michael, Marios H.
Demler, Eugene
Lee, Patrick
author_facet Michael, Marios H.
Demler, Eugene
Lee, Patrick
contents Experiments that subject underdoped $\rm{YBa_2Cu_3O_{6+x}}$ (YBCO) to intense terahertz pulses at temperatures between the transition temperature $T_c$ and the pseudogap scale $T^*$ have revealed a reflectivity edge that resembles that of the superconducting state, together with second harmonic generation of a probe pulse modulated at a similar frequency. These have been interpreted in terms of parametric amplification of the lower Josephson plasmon mode. Since this mode is often associated with coherent oscillations between bilayers in the YBCO structure, these experiments have led to the suggestion that the intense pump has created (or revealed) in-plane pair coherence up to $T^* \approx 400K$. In this paper we propose an alternative explanation by assuming the existence of local pair amplitude and phase at equilibrium for $T_c < T < T^*$. The phase correlation spans only a few lattice constants and we do not assume any pump-induced enhancement of this correlation, either in-plane or between bilayers. Instead, the coherent drive, via a parametric amplification process, induces coherence in the Josephson currents between members of bilayers. When combined with a Floquet framework, the reflectivity data can be explained. The key point is that in the lower Josephson plasmon, the coupling between bilayers is mainly capacitive; the Josephson current between bilayers can be set to zero without strongly affecting the parametric amplification process. Importantly, while superconducting coherence may not be created by the pump, the pseudogap phase must possess a local pairing amplitude at equilibrium. Consequently, these experiments have strong implications for the understanding of the pseudogap phase.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2505_03358
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Parametrically amplified Josephson plasma waves in YBa_2Cu_3O_(6+x): evidence for local superconducting fluctuations up to the pseudogap temperature $T^*$
Michael, Marios H.
Demler, Eugene
Lee, Patrick
Superconductivity
Strongly Correlated Electrons
Optics
Experiments that subject underdoped $\rm{YBa_2Cu_3O_{6+x}}$ (YBCO) to intense terahertz pulses at temperatures between the transition temperature $T_c$ and the pseudogap scale $T^*$ have revealed a reflectivity edge that resembles that of the superconducting state, together with second harmonic generation of a probe pulse modulated at a similar frequency. These have been interpreted in terms of parametric amplification of the lower Josephson plasmon mode. Since this mode is often associated with coherent oscillations between bilayers in the YBCO structure, these experiments have led to the suggestion that the intense pump has created (or revealed) in-plane pair coherence up to $T^* \approx 400K$. In this paper we propose an alternative explanation by assuming the existence of local pair amplitude and phase at equilibrium for $T_c < T < T^*$. The phase correlation spans only a few lattice constants and we do not assume any pump-induced enhancement of this correlation, either in-plane or between bilayers. Instead, the coherent drive, via a parametric amplification process, induces coherence in the Josephson currents between members of bilayers. When combined with a Floquet framework, the reflectivity data can be explained. The key point is that in the lower Josephson plasmon, the coupling between bilayers is mainly capacitive; the Josephson current between bilayers can be set to zero without strongly affecting the parametric amplification process. Importantly, while superconducting coherence may not be created by the pump, the pseudogap phase must possess a local pairing amplitude at equilibrium. Consequently, these experiments have strong implications for the understanding of the pseudogap phase.
title Parametrically amplified Josephson plasma waves in YBa_2Cu_3O_(6+x): evidence for local superconducting fluctuations up to the pseudogap temperature $T^*$
topic Superconductivity
Strongly Correlated Electrons
Optics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2505.03358