THERMAL TRANSPORT OF MgB2 SUPERCONDUCTORS: INTERPLAY BETWEEN ELECTRON AND LATTICE-IMPURITY SCATTERING

Abstract

We use the Kubo model to calculate the lattice contribution to the thermal conductivity (κph) in MgB 2 superconductors. The theory is formulated when heat transfer is limited by the scattering of phonons from defects, grain boundaries, charge carriers, and phonons. The lattice thermal conductivity in normal state of MgB 2 superconductors dominates and is an artifact of strong phonon-impurity and -phonon scattering mechanism. Later on, the electronic contribution to the thermal conductivity (κe) is calculated within relaxation time approximation for π and σ band carriers with s wave symmetry. Such an estimate sets an upper bound on κe and is about 30% of the total heat transfer at room temperature. The validity of the Wiedemann Franz law is also examined and an enhanced Lorenz number is obtained. Both these channels for heat transfer are clubbed and κ tot develops a broad peak at about 120 K, before falling off at higher temperatures weakly. The anomalies reported are well-accounted in terms of the scattering mechanism by phonon and electron with impurities. It is shown that the behavior of the thermal conductivity is determined by competition among the several operating scattering mechanisms for the heat carriers and a balance between electron and lattice contributions. The contribution of carriers toward κ is substantial and is due to the fact that the carriers are condensed and do not carry entropy. We include comparisons with other theoretical calculations on κe and available experimental data. The numerical analysis of heat transfer in the metallic phase of MgB 2 shows similar results as those revealed from experiments.