Response functions of a superlattice with a basis: a model of oxide superconductors

Abstract

The new high-Tc oxide superconductors appear to be superlattice structures with a basis composed of metallic sheets as well as metallic chains. Using a simple free-electron-gas model for the sheets and chains, we obtain the dielectric function ε(q,ω) of such a multilayer system within the random-phase approximation (RPA). We give results valid for arbitrary wave vector q appropriate to sheets and chains (as in the orthorhombic phase of Y-Ba-Cu-O) as well as for two different kinds of sheets (such as may be present in the Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O superconductors). The occurrence of acoustic plasmons is a general phenomenon in such superlattices, as shown by an alternative formulation based on the exact response functions for the individual sheets and chains, in which only the intersheet (chain) Colomb interaction is treated in the RPA. These results generalize the long-wavelength expressions recently given in the literature. We also briefly discuss the analogous results for two arrays of mutually perpendicular chains, such as found in Hg chain compounds.

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