Probing Anisotropic Superconductivity with Rotated Magnetic Fields
| Date/Time: | Monday, 29 Oct 2012 from 4:10 pm to 5:00 pm |
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| Location: | Physics 0005 |
| Phone: | 515-294-5441 |
| Channel: | College of Liberal Arts and Sciences |
| Actions: | Download iCal/vCal | Email Reminder |
Abstract: Novel superconductors provide a window into the physics of the emergent phenomena since in many of these materials strong electron-electron repulsion both gives rise to unconventional metallic properties and at the same time is responsible for electron pairing.
Superconducting state in such systems is anisotropic, with pairing states that are strongly dependent on the direction of motion of the electrons. Determining this anisotropy is a crucial step in identifying the underlying interactions.
After introducing and reviewing the subject, I will show that in anisotropic superconductors rotation of the applied magnetic field produces oscillations in the specific heat and electronic thermal conductivity which can be used to determine the shape of the order parameter. I will review our recent work investigating these oscillations in different temperature and field regimes, focusing on the comparison of our predictions with experiments. I will specifically address the measurements on heavy fermion compounds, pnictides, and organic superconductors, and review open questions.
Bio: Received Ph.D from Brown University in 1998. Postdoc at University of Guelph in Canada, then Director's Postdoctoral Fellow at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Joined Department of Physics and Astronomy at Louisiana State University in 2004 as an Assistant Professor, currently an Associate Professor at LSU.