Isotope effects in multiband superconductors

Abstract

Isotope effects in a multiband superconductor with a leading interband pairing channel are investigated. A relatively small electron-phonon contribution into the pair-transfer interaction can cause effects of observed magnitude. A multiband model which interpolates the cuprate properties is used for illustrative calculations. Isotope exponents of the transition temperature ($\alpha$), supercarrier density ($\alpha_n$), paired carrier effective mass ($\alpha_m$) and of the penetration depth ($\alpha_{\lambda}$) on the doping scale have been obtained. The known opposite trend of $\alpha$ and $T_c$ is reflected. The trends of $\alpha$ and $\alpha_n$ are similar. In contrast with the usual assumption in the interband case $\alpha_{\lambda}$ is driven by $\alpha_n$, which overwhelmes $\alpha_m$.