Resonance in Optimally Electron-Doped Superconductor Nd1.85Ce0.15CuO4−?

Abstract

We use inelastic neutron scattering to probe magnetic excitations of an optimally electron-doped superconductor Nd1.85Ce0.15CuO4− above and below its superconducting transition temperature Tc = 25 K. In addition to gradually opening a spin pseudo gap at the antiferromagnetic ordering wavevector Q = (1/2, 1/2, 0), the effect of superconductivity is to form a resonance centered also at Q = (1/2, 1/2, 0) but at energies above the spin pseudo gap. The intensity of the resonance develops like a superconducting order parameter, similar to those for hole-doped superconductors and electron-doped Pr0.88LaCe0.12CuO4. The resonance is therefore a general phenomenon of cuprate superconductors, and must be fundamental to the mechanism of high-Tc superconductivity.