Thermal conductivity of Bi 2Sr 2CaCu 2O 8 in the mixed state

Abstract

We have investigated ab-plane thermal conductivity in single crystals of Bi 2Sr 2CaCu 2O 8 in the mixed state. We find that the ab-plane thermal conductivity, кab, below Tc depends on the magnitude and orientation of the magnetic field. A simple empirical expression was found for кab Hθ c), which suggests that electron component of кab is responsible for the normal state behavior of the ab-plane thermal conductivity. However, the к anomaly in the superconducting state is attributed to an increase in its phonon component and a rapid decrease of quasiparticle scattering below Tc.