Infrared properties of exotic superconductors

Abstract

The infrared spectra of the non-traditional superconductors share certain common features. The lack of a gap signature at $2\Delta$ and the residual conductivity are the consequence of a d-wave order parameter. The high $T_c$ materials, the organic conductors and the heavy Fermion materials have a strong mid-infrared absorption band which can be interpreted as strong coupling of the carriers to electronic degrees of freedom which leads to a breakdown of the Fermi liquid picture. The cuprates and the organic charge transfer salts are unique in possessing an intrinsic low dimensionality. The charge transport normal to the highly conducting direction is incoherent down to the lowest temperatures and frequencies.