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Meaning of the kink-like spectral signature within the one-gap (preformed-pairs) scenario

Ascertain the physical origin and interpretation of the small gap-like “kink” feature in tunneling spectra of cuprate superconductors within the preformed-pairs one-gap scenario, clarifying its relationship, if any, to pairing and coherence.

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Background

The authors contrast two pictures for the pseudogap: a two-gap scenario involving local orders plus a superconducting gap, and a one-gap scenario in which the pseudogap arises from preformed pairs. In the two-gap picture, the kink could be associated with a smaller superconducting gap distinct from the pseudogap.

They explicitly note that within the one-gap (preformed-pair) scenario, the interpretation of the kink feature is not established, highlighting an unresolved aspect of the spectroscopy of cuprates.

References

This scenario is often called the one-gap scenario, and within it, the meaning of the kink-like signature is unclear.

— Equivalence of pseudogap and pairing energy in a cuprate high-temperature superconductor (2409.15928 - Niu et al., 24 Sep 2024) in Main text, discussion of two hypotheses (near Fig. 1E–F)