Eliashberg’s

Theory of Su-
perconductivity
with

Antonio Sanna

Introduction
Eliashberg’s Theory of Superconductivity
Framework
Nambu-
with
Gor’kov
perturbations
Eliashberg’s
equations
Into the physics
Antonio Sanna
Tc
Analytic
continuation Max Planck Institute
Excitation Halle Germany
spectrum
Termodynamics
References
19 July 2011

Antonio Sanna Eliashberg’s Theory of Superconductivity with

 Superconductivity beyond BCS

Eliashberg’s
Theory of Su-
perconductivity
with

Antonio Sanna
– The BCS theory has a relatively simple mathematical structure.
Introduction
And allows to describe in detail the phenomenology of
Framework
Nambu- superconductivity.
Gor’kov
perturbations
Eliashberg’s
equations – However its predictive power is poor. It is used mostly as a
Into the physics
Tc
model theory. And, when it is applied to real materials,
Analytic
continuation
couplings and Tc are fitted to the experimental value.
Excitation
spectrum
Termodynamics
References – What is missing in BCS? mainly to account for the intrinsic time
scale of the superconducting interactions (in particular phonons).

Antonio Sanna Eliashberg’s Theory of Superconductivity with

 a 2x2 Hamiltonian ...

Eliashberg’s
Theory of Su- The essential kind of correlation in superconductivity is the one
perconductivity
with between electrons and holes. This creates the phase space in which
Antonio Sanna the pairing interaction can scatter the cooper pairs.
Introduction

Framework
Nambu-
Gor’kov
perturbations
Eliashberg’s
equations
Into the physics
Tc
Analytic
continuation
Excitation To describe such an interaction is convenient to define a 2x2 matrix
spectrum
Termodynamics Hamiltonian:  
References
H0 (k) ∆(k)
H̄0 (k) = (1)
∆∗ (k) −H0 (k)
where the off-diagonal terms ∆ couple the electron and hole parts.
And can be thought as an external pairing field or as an infinitesimal
symmetry breaking one.
Antonio Sanna Eliashberg’s Theory of Superconductivity with
 ... and a 2x2 Green’s function

Eliashberg’s
Theory of Su-
perconductivity
with

Antonio Sanna

Introduction
To account, at the same time, for the effect of temperature and of
Framework the dynamical interactions, we need to work with Matsubara Green’s
Nambu-
Gor’kov
functions ( Fetter).
perturbations
Eliashberg’s  
equations G(k, iωn ) −F (k, iωn )
Ḡ(k, iωn ) = , (2)
Into the physics
Tc
−F ∗ (k, iωn ) G(k, −iωn )
Analytic
continuation where G is the normal state Green’s functions. And F is called
Excitation
spectrum
Termodynamics
anomalous Green’s function, and is the Fourier transform of the
References anomalous average < ψk↑ (t)ψk↓ (t0 ) >

Antonio Sanna Eliashberg’s Theory of Superconductivity with

 perturbation theory : Ḡ0

Eliashberg’s
Theory of Su-
perconductivity
with

Antonio Sanna Our reference non interacting systems is the solution of1 :

iωn I¯ + H̄0 (k) Ḡ0 (k, iωn ) = I¯

Introduction
 
(3)
Framework
Nambu-
Gor’kov
perturbations
Before to start with perturbation theory we put all that we know
Eliashberg’s
equations
Into the physics
Tc
Analytic
continuation
into H̄0 . We choose H̄0 as the Kohn Sham system that already
Excitation
spectrum
includes some Coulomb correlation effects.
Termodynamics
References
H0 (k) := HKS (k) = ξKS (k) (4)

¯
1 I, σ̄i are the Pauli matrices
Antonio Sanna Eliashberg’s Theory of Superconductivity with
 perturbation theory : H̄int

Eliashberg’s
Theory of Su-
perconductivity
with

Antonio Sanna
A perturbation Hamiltonian is the added to H̄0 . The perturbation is
Introduction
given by the phonon field and by a Coulomb interaction between
Framework
Nambu-
electrons2 :
Gor’kov
perturbations
Eliashberg’s
equations
Into the physics
H̄int = + (5)
Tc
Analytic
continuation
Excitation
spectrum
D(q) and V (q) being the phononic propagator and an electronic
Termodynamics
References
interaction.

2 In part this term is already included in the Kohn Sham Hamiltonian H̄

KS ; that
means that we must keep one eye on avoiding to double count some effect
Antonio Sanna Eliashberg’s Theory of Superconductivity with
 perturbation theory : Σ̄ 1/3

Eliashberg’s
Theory of Su-
The interacting Green’s function corresponding to H̄int may be
perconductivity
with
expressed in terms of the total irreducible Self energy Σ̄
Antonio Sanna  −1  −1
Ḡ(k, iωn ) = Ḡ0 (k, iωn ) − Σ̄(k, iωn ), (6)
Introduction

Framework
Nambu-
An approximated Σ̄ can be obtained by perturbation theory: the first
Gor’kov
perturbations
order terms are:
Eliashberg’s
equations
Into the physics
Tc
Analytic
continuation
Excitation
spectrum
Termodynamics – The first two give only diagonal contributions, in part already
References
accounted for in the Kohn Sham Hamiltonian, and can be
ignored.

– Then we boost to an higher order the two exchange-like

diagrams by dressing all propagators lines
Antonio Sanna Eliashberg’s Theory of Superconductivity with
 perturbation theory : Σ̄ 2/3

Eliashberg’s
Theory of Su-
So we consider the following approximation for Σ :
perconductivity
with

Antonio Sanna
Σ̄ =
Introduction

Framework • The double phonon lines just means that we put in the
Nambu-
Gor’kov propagator dressed phonons ( ’s phonons)
perturbations
Eliashberg’s
equations
• Within Migdal’s theorem corrections to this diagram would be of
Into the physics order m/M (electronic / ionic mass)
Tc
Analytic • The double Coulomb line means that we use a screened
continuation
Excitation Coulomb interaction (i.e. rpa)
spectrum
Termodynamics • Superconducting corrections to the phonon/Coulomb propagator
References
will be ignored
• Vertex corrections on the Coulomb part have been ignored
(without any serious reason)
• Diagonal contributions from the Coulomb part will be ignored to
avoid double counting of KS xc-effects
Antonio Sanna Eliashberg’s Theory of Superconductivity with
 perturbation theory : Σ̄ 3/3

Eliashberg’s
Theory of Su-
perconductivity
with

Antonio Sanna So we are left with the following approximation for the Self Energy:
Introduction

Framework X
Nambu-
Gor’kov
Σ̄(k, iωn ) = −kB T σ̄3 Ḡ(k0 , iωn0 )σ̄3 × (7)
perturbations k0 ,n0
Eliashberg’s " #
equations
X 2 0 0
Into the physics
Tc
|gk,k0 ,ν | Dν (k − k , iωn − iωn0 ) + σ̄1 W (k − k )
Analytic ν
continuation
Excitation
spectrum
Termodynamics
References

Antonio Sanna Eliashberg’s Theory of Superconductivity with

 Eliashberg’s equations 1/3

Eliashberg’s
Theory of Su-
perconductivity
with
Now having a Self energy we can come back to the Dyson equation6
Antonio Sanna
and look for a solution
Introduction
 −1  −1
Ḡ(k, iωn ) = Ḡ0 (k, iωn ) − Σ̄(k, iωn ), (8)
Framework
Nambu-
Gor’kov This is a self-consistent equations because Σ̄ depends on Ḡ.
perturbations
Eliashberg’s To solve it we expand Σ̄ in Pauli matrices:
equations
Into the physics
Tc
Analytic
continuation Σ̄(k, iωn ) = iωn [1 − Z(k, iωn )] I¯ + χ(k, iωn )σ̄3
Excitation
spectrum
Termodynamics
+ φ1 (k, iωn )σ1 + φ2 (k, iωn )σ̄2 , (9)
References

and we get a formal solution:

Ḡ(k, iωn )−1 = iωn Z I¯ − (k + χ)σ̄3 − φ1 σ̄1 − φ2 σ̄2 . (10)

Antonio Sanna Eliashberg’s Theory of Superconductivity with

 Eliashberg’s equations 2/3

Eliashberg’s
Theory of Su-
perconductivity
with
reinserting Ḡ into the Dyson equation we are left with a set of
Antonio Sanna
coupled self-consistent equations, named after Eliashberg:
Introduction 2 iω 0 Z(k0 , iω 0 )D (k − k0 , iω − iω 0 )
1 X 
n n ν n n
[1 − Z(k, iωn )] iωn =
 
Framework gk,k0 ,ν 
β Θ(k0 , iωn0 )
Nambu- k0 ,n0 ,ν
Gor’kov 2 χ(k0 , iω 0 ) + ξ 0
perturbations 1 X 
n k 0
χ(k, iωn ) = Dν (k − k , iωn − iωn0 )
 
gk,k0 ,ν 
Eliashberg’s β Θ(k0 , iωn0 )
equations k0 ,n0 ,ν

Into the physics 0 0

1(2) (k , iωn0 )Dν (k − k , iωn − iωn0 )
1  2 φ
ph
X
φ1(2) (k, iωn ) = −
 
Tc gk,k0 ,ν 
β 0
Θ(k , iωn0 )
Analytic k0 ,n0 ,ν
continuation
Excitation
C 1 X φ1(2) (k0 , iωn0 )
spectrum φ1(2) (k, iωn ) = − Wk,k0
Termodynamics β Θ(k0 , iωn0 )
k0 ,n0
References
ph C
φ1(2) (k, iωn ) = φ1(2) (k, iωn ) + φ1(2) (k, iωn ) (11)
2 2 2 2
Θ(k, iωn ) = [Z(k, iωn )ωn ] + [k + χ(k, iωn )] + φ1 (k, iωn ) + φ2 (k, iωn )

Antonio Sanna Eliashberg’s Theory of Superconductivity with

 Eliashberg’s equations 3/3

Eliashberg’s
Theory of Su-
perconductivity
with

Antonio Sanna

Introduction
– We can set φ2 = 0, and work with a single off diagonal
Framework
Nambu- contribution φ = φ1 , that is real on the Matsubara axis.
Gor’kov
perturbations
Eliashberg’s – χ acts on the diagonal part of Ḡ. It generates a shift in the
equations
Fermi energy that can be neglected assuming electron/hole
Into the physics
Tc symmetry.
Analytic
continuation
Excitation – The Coulomb part of these equations has some convergency
spectrum
Termodynamics problems, an high energy cut-off needs to be enforced.
References

Antonio Sanna Eliashberg’s Theory of Superconductivity with

 Isotropic Eliashberg’s equations 1/3

Eliashberg’s
Theory of Su-
perconductivity
with The fully anisotropic k-dependent Eliashberg’s equations are difficult
Antonio Sanna to tackle. Here we assume that the phononic coupling is constant
Introduction
near the Fermi energy:
Framework
Nambu-
Gor’kov
Z(k, iωn ) → hZ(k, iωn )ik =EF = Z(iωn )
perturbations
Eliashberg’s
φ(k, iωn ) → φ(iωn )
equations
Into the physics
∆(k, iωn ) → ∆(iωn )
Tc
Analytic Θ(k, iωn ) → Θ(k , iωn ) (12)
continuation
Excitation
spectrum
Termodynamics
we define an average electron phonon coupling ( task 250)
References

1 XX
α2 F (ω) = |gk,k0 ,ν |2 δ(k0 )δ(k )δ(ω − ωqν ) (13)
NE F 0 ν
kk

Antonio Sanna Eliashberg’s Theory of Superconductivity with

 Isotropic Eliashberg’s equations 2/3

Eliashberg’s
Theory of Su-
perconductivity
with

Antonio Sanna The Coulomb coupling has a large energy scale. For example it can
Introduction
be calculated at the rpa level (soon available in ):
Framework
For the time being we assume
Nambu- Wk,k0 to be constant within an en-
Gor’kov
perturbations ergy range of ∼ 10eV. Then the in-
Eliashberg’s
equations tegration of the Coulomb part of
Into the physics the Eliashberg’s equations becomes
Tc
Analytic
analytic ( Scalapino). And will
continuation depend on a single parameter µ∗ .
Excitation
spectrum
Termodynamics ∗
NE WE
F F
References µ = (14)
1 − NE WE ln (EF /ωc )
F F

Antonio Sanna Eliashberg’s Theory of Superconductivity with

 Isotropic Eliashberg’s equations 3/3

Eliashberg’s
Theory of Su-
perconductivity
with
And we are left with the final form:
Antonio Sanna

2ωα2 F (ω)
Z
Introduction
π X Z(iωn0 )iωn0
[1 − Z(iωn )]iωn = − dω
Framework β ω Ξ(iωn0 ) (ωn − ωn0 )2 + ω 2
Nambu- n0
Gor’kov
2ωα2 F (ω)
Z
perturbations π X φ(iωn0 )
Eliashberg’s φph (iωn ) = 2 dω
equations
β ω Ξ(iωn0 ) (ω n − ω n 0 ) + ω2
Into the physics n0
Tc
∗π
X φ(iωn0 )
Analytic
continuation φC (iωn ) = −µ θ(ωc − |ωn0 |) (15)
Excitation β ω Ξ(iωn0 )
spectrum n 0
Termodynamics q
References 2
Ξ(iωn ) = [Z(iωn )ωn ] + φ2 (iωn ),

Now ... run with task 260 !!

Antonio Sanna Eliashberg’s Theory of Superconductivity with

 Evaluating the output

Eliashberg’s
Theory of Su-
perconductivity
with

Antonio Sanna

Introduction
Solving the equations give us the Matsubara Green’s function:
Framework  
Nambu-
Gor’kov
iωn Z(iωn ) + ξk φ(iωn )
perturbations φ(iωn ) iωn Z(iωn ) − ξk
Eliashberg’s
equations
Ḡ(k, iωn ) = − 2 . (16)
Into the physics
[Z(iωn )ωn ] + ξk2 + φ2 (iωn )
Tc
Analytic
continuation
and now we are going to extract some physics out of it
Excitation
spectrum
Termodynamics
References

Antonio Sanna Eliashberg’s Theory of Superconductivity with

 Tc

Eliashberg’s
Theory of Su-
perconductivity Tc is defined as the temperature at which the anomalous density
with
becomes zero
Antonio Sanna
so we just need to look at φ :
Introduction

Framework
Nambu-
Gor’kov
perturbations
Eliashberg’s
equations
Into the physics
Tc
Analytic
continuation
Excitation
spectrum
Termodynamics
References

we have Tc

Antonio Sanna Eliashberg’s Theory of Superconductivity with

 Real Axis

Eliashberg’s
Theory of Su-
perconductivity
with
Beyond Tc , Ḡ contains information about
Antonio Sanna
the single particle excitation spectrum of
Introduction
the superconductor. To extract it we need
Framework
Nambu-
the retarded (physical) Green’s Function.
Gor’kov
perturbations
The way to get it is to perform an analytic
Eliashberg’s
equations
continuation from the imaginary to the
Into the physics real axis of our Ḡ.  
Tc
Analytic ωZ(ω) + ξk φ(ω)
continuation
Excitation φ(ω) ωZ(ω) − ξk
spectrum Ḡ(k, ω) = − 2 . (17)
Termodynamics
References
[Z(ω)ω] + ξk2 + φ2 (ω)
The analytic continuation of φ and Z is done directly by with the
Padé’s approximants method ( Carbotte).

Antonio Sanna Eliashberg’s Theory of Superconductivity with

 Real Axis

Eliashberg’s
Theory of Su-
perconductivity
with

Antonio Sanna

Introduction

Framework
Nambu-
Gor’kov
perturbations
Eliashberg’s
equations
Into the physics
Tc
Analytic
continuation
Excitation
spectrum
Termodynamics
References

Antonio Sanna Eliashberg’s Theory of Superconductivity with

 Excitation spectrum

Eliashberg’s
Theory of Su-
perconductivity
with

Antonio Sanna

Introduction
the poles of
Framework
Nambu-
Gor’kov ωZ(ω) + ξk
perturbations G11 (k, ω) = − 2 . (18)
Eliashberg’s
equations [Z(ω)ω] + ξk2 + φ2 (ω)
Into the physics
Tc
Analytic
give the elemental excitations of the Superconductor.
continuation
Excitation
The minimum excitation energy is ω = ∆ = φ(ω)/Z(ω) This is
spectrum
Termodynamics
therefore the binding energy for electrons in a Cooper pair.
References

Antonio Sanna Eliashberg’s Theory of Superconductivity with

 Spectral function

Eliashberg’s
Theory of Su-
the imaginary part of G11 is the electron spectral function. It Shows
perconductivity
with
how the non interacting (Kohn-Sham) band structure is modified by
Antonio Sanna
the presence of phonons. And by the superconducting condensation
( Scalapino and Schrieffer).
Introduction

Framework
Nambu-
Gor’kov
perturbations
Eliashberg’s
equations
Into the physics
Tc
Analytic
continuation
Excitation
spectrum
Termodynamics
References

Antonio Sanna Eliashberg’s Theory of Superconductivity with

 and many other properties can be derived

Eliashberg’s
Theory of Su-
– Free energy difference from the normal state (∆F )
perconductivity
with
– Critical magnetic fields (HC )
Antonio Sanna
– jumps in the specific heat at the superconducting transition
Introduction

Framework – ... ( Carbotte)

Nambu-
Gor’kov
perturbations
Eliashberg’s
equations
Into the physics
Tc
Analytic
continuation
Excitation
spectrum
Termodynamics
References

Antonio Sanna Eliashberg’s Theory of Superconductivity with

 That’s all

Eliashberg’s
Theory of Su-
perconductivity
The Eliashberg’s theory of phononic superconductivity is a powerful
with technique that allows to describe in a reliable way the
Antonio Sanna
superconducting state.
Introduction A basic implementation is included in , from which many physical
Framework properties can be simulated (directly or with a little bit of
Nambu-
Gor’kov post-processing)
perturbations
Eliashberg’s
equations
Into the physics
Tc
Analytic
continuation
Excitation
spectrum
Termodynamics
References

Antonio Sanna Eliashberg’s Theory of Superconductivity with

 References

Eliashberg’s
Theory of Su-
perconductivity
with

Antonio Sanna

Introduction • P.B. Allen and B. Mitrović Theory of Superconducting Tc , Solid State

Framework Physics 37, 1 (1960)
Nambu-
Gor’kov
perturbations
• D.J Scalapino, J.R. Schrieffer and J.W. Wilkins Strong-Coupling
Eliashberg’s
equations
theory of Superconductivity I*, Phys. Rev. 148, 263 (1966)
Into the physics • J.P. Carbotte Properties of boson-exchange superconductors, Rev.
Tc
Analytic Mod. Phys. 62, 1027 (1990)
continuation
Excitation
spectrum
• P.G. de Gennes Superconductivity of Metals and Alloys
Termodynamics
References • J. R. Schrieffer Theory of Superconductivity

Antonio Sanna Eliashberg’s Theory of Superconductivity with