Does Strong-Coupling Theory Describe Superconducting Nb?

Abstract

The electron-coupled phonon spectrum ${\ensuremath{\alpha}}^{2}F$, $\ensuremath{\lambda}$, and ${\ensuremath{\mu}}^{*}$ have been determined for polycrystalline and high-purity, single-crystal niobium from tunnel junctions fabricated with three different counterelectrodes. All spectra compare well with phonon spectra extracted from neutron-scattering experiments. Values of $\ensuremath{\lambda}$ are BCS-like and ${\ensuremath{\mu}}^{*}$ is always negative. Computer-modeling studies describing a niobiumlike material cannot generate an acceptable set of strong-coupling parameters.