Abstract:
A characteristic feature of the BCS theory of superconductivity is the quantum-mechanical
coherence of particle and hole states. Direct observation of particle-hole coherence
in unusual superconducting materials is a strong indication of traditional
superconductivity. We use the Fermi liquid theory of superconductivity
to study the implications of particle-hole coherence on properties of d-wave
superconductors near surfaces. Typical surface phenomena are the suppression
of the superconducting order parameter, surface bound states associated
with Andreev reflection, anomalous screening currents, and spontaneous
breaking of time-reversal symmetry. We review these phenomena and present
new results for the effects of surface roughness.
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