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We investigate the source of the variation of the pairing strength in high-Tc superconductors. We have developed a new
technique that allows us to study the same nanoscale region of the material through a broad range of temperatures. Using
this technique, we can probe the temperature evolution of metallic electronic states into superconducting Cooper pairs. We
demonstrate a striking connection between the metallic electronic states and pairing strength: electrons showing signs
of stronger repulsion at very high temperature form the strongest bonded pairs at low temperatures. This observation runs
contrary to the behavior of electrons in traditional superconducting materials, in which electron-electron repulsion is not
conducive to superconductivity.
We have also found that the traditional signatures of what some might call the pair binding 'glue' are present. We can
measure these signatures with high accuracy on the atomic scale. Unlike conventional superconductors, they don't seem to
control the formation of the superconducting pairs: they are more like spectators.
Published in Science Magazine: Article, Supplementary Information
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Joseph Henry Laboratories of Physics
Department of Physics
Jadwin Hall
Princeton University
Princeton, NJ 08544
Tel: 609.258.4390
FAX: 609.258.1006
Lab phone/fax: 609.258.9517
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