We use the variational cluster approximation to study the superconducting ground state in the two-dimensional attractive Hubbard model, putting particular emphasis on the significance of quantum fluctuations of the system. We first show that the order parameter is suppressed in comparison with that obtained using the mean-field theory owing to the effects of spatial fluctuations in two-dimensional systems. We then show that the calculated Bogoliubov quasiparticle spectra and condensation amplitude clearly exhibit the character of Cooper pairs in momentum space and that the pair coherence length $ξ$ evaluated from the condensation amplitude demonstrates a smooth crossover in real space from a weakly paired BCS state ( $ξ\gg a$ ) to a BEC state of tightly bound pairs ( $ξ\ll a$ ), where $a$ is the lattice constant. The calculated kinetic and potential energies in the superconducting and normal ground states indicate that the superconducting state in the weak-coupling region is driven by the gain in potential energy, while that in the strongcoupling region is driven by the gain in kinetic energy.We use the variational cluster approximation to study the superconducting ground state in the two-dimensional attractive Hubbard model, putting particular emphasis on the significance of quantum fluctuations of the system. We first show that the order parameter is suppressed in comparison with that obtained using the mean-field theory owing to the effects of spatial fluctuations in two-dimensional systems. We then show that the calculated Bogoliubov quasiparticle spectra and condensation amplitude clearly exhibit the character of Cooper pairs in momentum space and that the pair coherence length $ξ$ evaluated from the condensation amplitude demonstrates a smooth crossover in real space from a weakly paired BCS state ($ξ\gg a$) to a BEC state of tightly bound pairs ($ξ\ll a$), where $a$ is the lattice constant. The calculated kinetic and potential energies in the superconducting and normal ground states indicate that the superconducting state in the weak-coupling region is driven by the gain in potential energy, while that in the strongcoupling region is driven by the gain in kinetic energy.

arXiv:1308.0664Journal of the Physical Society of JapanJan 21, 20149 citations

BCS and attractive Hubbard model comparative study

Nathan Salwen, Steven A. Sheets, Stephen R. Cotanch

We extend previous studies of the (BCS) canonical approach for the attractive Hubbard model. A derivation of the BCS formulation is presented for both the Hubbard model and a simpler reduced Hamiltonian. Using direct diagonalization, exact one- and two-dimensional solutions for both Hamiltonians are compared to BCS variational calculations. Approximate and exact ground state energies and energy gaps are computed for different electron number systems as well as correlation observables not previously predicted. Reproducing published one-dimensional findings, the BCS approach is an excellent approximation for the Hubbard ground state energy but not the energy gap, a finding that remains true in two dimensions. Propagators and correlators are found more sensitive to wave functions and appreciable differences are computed with the Hubbard model exhibiting a weaker degree of superconductivity than the BCS. Even for weak coupling pronounced differences are found between the BCS and Hubbard on-site correlators. Significantly, in the extreme strong coupling limit the Hubbard model exhibits no dimensional crossover, or density induced transitions, to long-range order in two dimensions. However, for the reduced Hamiltonian the BCS approach is an excellent approximation for all observables in both one and two dimensions.We extend previous studies of the (BCS) canonical approach for the attractive Hubbard model. A derivation of the BCS formulation is presented for both the Hubbard model and a simpler reduced Hamiltonian. Using direct diagonalization, exact one- and two-dimensional solutions for both Hamiltonians are compared to BCS variational calculations. Approximate and exact ground state energies and energy gaps are computed for different electron number systems as well as correlation observables not previously predicted. Reproducing published one-dimensional findings, the BCS approach is an excellent approximation for the Hubbard ground state energy but not the energy gap, a finding that remains true in two dimensions. Propagators and correlators are found more sensitive to wave functions and appreciable differences are computed with the Hubbard model exhibiting a weaker degree of superconductivity than the BCS. Even for weak coupling pronounced differences are found between the BCS and Hubbard on-site correlators. Significantly, in the extreme strong coupling limit the Hubbard model exhibits no dimensional crossover, or density induced transitions, to long-range order in two dimensions. However, for the reduced Hamiltonian the BCS approach is an excellent approximation for all observables in both one and two dimensions.

arXiv:cond-mat/0305367Physical Review BAug 24, 20048 citations

Superconducting properties of the attractive Hubbard model in the slave-boson approach

M. Bąk, R. Micnas

The attractive Hubbard model for normal and superconducting ground states is examined for arbitrary electron concentration by the use of the slave-boson mean-field approximation (SBMFA) technique. This approach, at a saddle-point level, is equivalent to the Gutzwiller approximation. Several superfluid characteristics of the model are shown for hypercubic lattices of all dimensions, including , and a comparison with the Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer Hartree-Fock approximation (BCS-HFA) calculations and exact results is made. Our results show quantitative and qualitative corrections of the SBMFA to the HFA. The improvement of the SBMFA over the HFA diminishes with increasing lattice dimensionality. We have also evaluated the energy difference between the superconducting and the normal states; this is compared with available results for the superconducting critical temperatures in various dimensions and Uemura-type plots are obtained. The results confirm and substantiate the assertion of a continuous evolution of the superfluid properties of the model from the weak-coupling (BCS-like) to the strong-coupling (composite-boson superconductivity) limit.The attractive Hubbard model for normal and superconducting ground states is examined for arbitrary electron concentration by the use of the slave-boson mean-field approximation (SBMFA) technique. This approach, at a saddle-point level, is equivalent to the Gutzwiller approximation. Several superfluid characteristics of the model are shown for hypercubic lattices of all dimensions, including , and a comparison with the Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer Hartree-Fock approximation (BCS-HFA) calculations and exact results is made. Our results show quantitative and qualitative corrections of the SBMFA to the HFA. The improvement of the SBMFA over the HFA diminishes with increasing lattice dimensionality. We have also evaluated the energy difference between the superconducting and the normal states; this is compared with available results for the superconducting critical temperatures in various dimensions and Uemura-type plots are obtained. The results confirm and substantiate the assertion of a continuous evolution of the superfluid properties of the model from the weak-coupling (BCS-like) to the strong-coupling (composite-boson superconductivity) limit.

Journal of Physics Condensed MatterOct 12, 199822 citations

ξ

evaluated from the condensation amplitude demonstrates a smooth crossover in real space from a weakly paired BCS state (

ξ\gg a

) to a BEC state of tightly bound pairs (

ξ\ll a

), where

a

is the lattice constant. The calculated kinetic and potential energies in the superconducting and normal ground states indicate that the superconducting state in the weak-coupling region is driven by the gain in potential energy, while that in the strongcoupling region is driven by the gain in kinetic energy.