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Breakdown of Fermi-liquid theory in a copper-oxide superconductor

Author

Listed:
  • R. W. Hill

    (Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, University of Toronto)

  • Cyril Proust

    (Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, University of Toronto
    Université de Sherbrooke)

  • Louis Taillefer

    (Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, University of Toronto)

  • P. Fournier

    (Center for Superconductivity Research, University of Maryland
    Université de Sherbrooke)

  • R. L. Greene

    (Center for Superconductivity Research, University of Maryland)

Abstract

The behaviour of electrons in solids is well described by Landau's Fermi-liquid theory, which predicts that although electrons in a metal interact, they can still be treated as well defined fermions, which are called ‘quasiparticles’. At low temperatures, the ability of quasiparticles to transport heat is given strictly by their ability to transport charge, as described by a universal relation known as the Wiedemann–Franz law, which hitherto no material has been known to violate. High-temperature superconductors have long been thought to fall outside the realm of Fermi-liquid theory, as suggested by several anomalous properties, but this has yet to be shown conclusively. Here we report an experimental test of the Wiedemann–Franz law in the normal state of a copper-oxide superconductor, (Pr,Ce)2CuO4, which reveals that the elementary excitations that carry heat in this material are not fermions. This is compelling evidence for the breakdown of Fermi-liquid theory in high-temperature superconductors.

Suggested Citation

  • R. W. Hill & Cyril Proust & Louis Taillefer & P. Fournier & R. L. Greene, 2001. "Breakdown of Fermi-liquid theory in a copper-oxide superconductor," Nature, Nature, vol. 414(6865), pages 711-715, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:414:y:2001:i:6865:d:10.1038_414711a
    DOI: 10.1038/414711a
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    Cited by:

    1. Dechen Zhang & Kuan-Wen Chen & Guoxin Zheng & Fanghang Yu & Mengzhu Shi & Yuan Zhu & Aaron Chan & Kaila Jenkins & Jianjun Ying & Ziji Xiang & Xianhui Chen & Lu Li, 2024. "Large oscillatory thermal hall effect in kagome metals," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-8, December.

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