Probing pairing symmetry in multi-band superconductors by quasiparticle interference

Abstract

Abstract We study momentum and energy dependencies of the quasiparticle interference (QPI) response function in multiband superconductors in the framework of the strong-coupling Eliashberg approach. Within an effective two-band model we study the s ± and s ++ symmetry cases, corresponding to opposite or equal signs of the order parameters in the bands. We demonstrate that the momentum dependence of the QPI function is strikingly different for s ± and s ++ symmetries of the order parameter at energies close to the small gap. At the same time, the QPI response becomes indistinguishable for both symmetries at higher energies around the large gap. This result may guide future experiments on probing pairing symmetry in iron pnictides as well as in other unconventional superconductors.