Spin paramagnetism in d-wave superconductors

Abstract

The Ginzburg-Landau equations are derived from the microscopic theory for clean layered superconductors with $d_{x^2-y^2}$ pairing symmetry, including the Pauli paramagnetism effect. The upper critical field $H_{c2}$ parallel to the $c$ axis is calculated. A comparison with the experimental data for YBCO suggests that, relative to the orbital effect, the Pauli paramagnetism contribution to $H_{c2}$ is significant. The reversible magnetization $M$ in high magnetic fields is also calculated, showing strong temperature dependence of the slope $dM/dH$, as a consequence of the spin paramagnetism. A simple expression for the high temperature spin susceptibility is derived, in a good agreement with the Knight shift measurements on YBCO.