Two-band superconductivity in Pb from ab initio calculations

A. Floris*, A. Sanna, S. Massidda, E. K.U. Gross

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

79 Scopus citations

Abstract

We perform first-principles calculations of the band and k -point resolved superconducting gap of Pb in the framework of the density functional theory for superconductors. Without any adjustable parameter or assuption different from s -wave symmetry, we find two different values of the gap on the two sheets of the Fermi surface, which can be related to the different electron-phonon couplings characterizing the electronic states in the corresponding bands. These, in turn, derive from the different orbital character of the electronic states. We also find some intraband gap anisotropy in each Fermi surface sheet. Our calculated gap, critical temperature and total anisotropy of the gap are in good agreement with tunneling experiments. We estimate an 8% enhancement of Tc coming from the gap anisotropy. However, the experimentally found T3 temperature dependence of the specific heat cannot be found within our assumed anisotropic s -wave gap symmetry.

Original languageEnglish
Article number054508
JournalPhysical Review B - Condensed Matter and Materials Physics
Volume75
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 9 Feb 2007
Externally publishedYes

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Two-band superconductivity in Pb from ab initio calculations'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this