Neutron Scattering and $d$-Wave Symmetry in the Cuprates

Abstract

In this comment we demonstrate that the general conjectures of Fong $et~ al$ on their ${\rm YBa_2Cu_3O_7}$ neutron experiments are realized in concrete calculations of the neutron scattering structure factor $S({\bf q} , ω)$ in this material. We make predictions for similar experiments in ${\rm La_2Sr_{0.15}Cu_{1.85}O_4}$, which yield a different q-structure due to the different fermiology. Our calculations address both the frequency and wave-vector dependence of the data and (1) include realistic Fermi surface effects (2) are compatible with the normal state data and (3) demonstrate the consistency of a $d$-wave order parameter, in ${\rm YBa_2Cu_3O_7}$ although they appear to be also compatible with an alternate symmetry specific to the orthorhombic bi-layer system.