Distinct Behaviors of Inner and Outer Planes in Quadruple-Layer Cuprate
Phys. Rev. Lett. 136, 186401 – Published 6 May, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/vx8q-zcty
Abstract
The superconducting transition temperatures (’s) of trilayer or quadruple-layer cuprates typically surpass those of single-layer or bilayer systems. However, the lack of direct electronic-structure and superconducting-gap measurements in optimal- quadruple-layer cuprates has impeded a comprehensive understanding of the origin of the enhanced in multilayer systems. In this Letter, using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, we investigate the quadruple-layer cuprate (CuC-1234) with a high of 110 K, and resolved distinct superconducting-gap behaviors between the inner planes and outer planes, in contrast to that reported for trilayer cuprates. Outer planes develop their own superconducting gap and superconducting coherence peak at a temperature much lower than the of the material, while the large pairing strength and phase coherence concurrently emerge at the underdoped inner planes at . Our findings suggest that planes free of apical oxygen can have significant contribution to superconductivity up to 110 K in multilayer cuprates, even at a doping level of 0.07 holes per Cu, a level that lies deep in the underdoped regime of single- and bilayer cuprates. These findings provide new insights into the origin of high in multilayer cuprates.