Direct evidence for a multiple superconducting gap in MgB2 from high-resolution photoemission spectroscopy

Abstract

We study the new binary intermetallic superconductor MgB2 using high-resolution photo-emission spectroscopy. The superconducting-state spectrum measured at 5.4 K shows a coherent peak with a shoulder structure, in sharp contrast to that expected from a simple isotropic-gap opening. The spectrum can be well reproduced using the weighted sum of two Dynes functions with the gap sizes of 1.7 and 5.6 meV. Temperature-dependent study shows that both gaps close at the bulk transition temperature. These results provide spectroscopic evidence for a multiple gap of MgB2.