Appearance of New Energy Gap and Periodic Local Density-of-States Modulation in Bi₂Sr_1.6La_0.4CuO_6+δ

Abstract

The spatial variation of the local density of states in optimally doped Bi₂Sr_1.6La_0.4CuO_6+δ (superconducting transition temperature is 34 K) is studied by scanning tunneling spectroscopy at 4.2 K in zero magnetic field. Two-dimensional density-of-states modulation aligned with the Cu–O–Cu bond with a periodicity of about five lattice constants is observed. It is found that this modulation accompanies the appearance of a new energy gap of approximately 10 meV, whose gap edge peak is spatially modulated in intensity. This gap coexists with the superconducting gap, the value of which ranges from 10 meV to 60 meV.