An Alternative Explanation on the Two Relaxation Rates in Cuprate Superconductors

Abstract

Transport properties of high transition temperature (high-Tc) superconductors have been shown to have two distinct relaxation rates. We argue that this apparent inconsistence can be resolved with an effective carrier density n linear in temperature T. Experimental evidences both for and against this explanation are analyzed and we conclude that this offers a simple yet promising scenario. Above the pseudogap temperature T* the normal state of high-Tc cuprates is close to a Fermi liquid. It however assumes non-Fermi- liquid behaviors below T*.