High-Tc Superconductors: Evidence on the Electron?Phonon Interaction from Transport Measurements

Abstract

We discuss the interpretation of measurements of thermal conductivity, thermopower, Hall coefficient, resistivity and mapetorcsistance in hiJh-temperaturc superconductors. The thermal conductivity of YBa2 Cu3 07 shows an increase below the transition temperature 7;:, demonstrating the importance of the electron-phonon interaction in reducing the phonon current in the normal state. Many features of resistivity and thermopower can be interpreted in terms of conventional metallic models, although morc exotic interpretations have been proposed. We show how measurements on morc disordered samples should help resolve controversy regarding the interpretation of the electronic transport properties.