Anomalously large gap anisotropy in the a-b plane ofBi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ

Abstract

Superconducting gap anisotropy at least an order of magnitude larger than that of the conventional superconductors has been observed in the a-b plane of ${\mathrm{Bi}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Sr}}_{2}$${\mathrm{CaCu}}_{2}$${\mathrm{O}}_{8+\mathrm{\ensuremath{\delta}}}$ in angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. For samples with ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$ of 88 K, the gap size reaches a maximum of approximately 20 meV along the Cu-O bond direction, and a minimum of much smaller or vanishing magnitude 45\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} away. The experimental data are discussed within the context of various theoretical models. In particular, a detailed comparison with what is expected from a superconductor with a ${\mathit{d}}_{\mathit{x}}^{2}$-${\mathit{y}}^{2}$ order parameter is carried out, yielding a consistent picture.