Anatomy of Gossamer Superconductivity

Abstract

There are many systems in which two order parameters compete with each other. Of particular interest are systems in which these order parameters are both unconventional. In this contribution, we examine the representative example of a d-wave superconductor in the presence of a d-wave density wave, which has been suggested as a model for the pseudogap phase in the high- T_c superconductors. The physical properties of unconventional superconductivity in the presence of an anisotropic charge density wave are investigated within mean field theory. This model describes many features that were anticipated by an earlier phenomenological treatment of Tallon and Loram. In addition, the quasiparticle density of states in the presence of these two order parameters is calculated, which should be accessible by scanning tunneling microscopy.