Extended s-wave pairing originating from the $a_{1g}$ band in Na$_x$CoO$_2\cdot y$ H$_2$O

Abstract

Motivated by recent experiments and band calculation results, we investigate the possibility of superconductivity originating from the $a_{1g}$ band of Na$_x$CoO$_2\cdot y$H$_2$O assuming the absence of $e_g'$ pockets. We adopt a single band $U$-$V$ model that takes into account the local minimum of the $a_{1g}$ band dispersion at the $Γ$ point. Using the fluctuation exchange method, we find that an s-wave pairing with a gap that changes sign between the inner and the outer Fermi surfaces is enhanced due to the coexistence of spin fluctuations at wave vectors bridging the two Fermi surfaces and the charge fluctuations near the K point. Possible relevance to the experimental results is discussed.