title: Observation of competing order in a high-Tc superconductor using femtosecond optical pulses.
abstract: We present studies of the photoexcited quasiparticle dynamics in Tl(2)Ba(2)Ca(2)Cu(3)O(y) (Tl-2223) using femtosecond optical techniques. Deep into the superconducting state (below 40 K), a dramatic change occurs in the temporal dynamics associated with photoexcited quasiparticles rejoining the condensate. This is suggestive of entry into a coexistence phase which, as our analysis reveals, opens a gap in the density of states (in addition to the superconducting gap), and furthermore, competes with superconductivity resulting in a depression of the superconducting gap.
authors.affiliation: MPA-CINT and T-11, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA.
authors.forename: Elbert E M
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Chia
authors.forename: Jian-Xin
authors.initials: JX
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Talbayev
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Averitt
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: Kyu-Hwan
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.forename: In-Sun
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Jo
authors.forename: S-I
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Lee