Observation of Competing Order in a High-T_{c} Superconductor with Femtosecond Optical Pulses

We present studies of the photoexcited quasiparticle dynamics in Tl$_{2}$Ba$_{2}$Ca$_{2}$Cu$_{3}$O$_{y}$ (Tl-2223) using femtosecond optical techniques. Deep into the superconducting state (below 40 K), a dramatic change occurs in the temporal dynamics associated with photoexcited quasiparticles rejoining the condensate. This is suggestive of entry into a coexistence phase which, as our analysis reveals, opens a gap in the density of states (in addition to the superconducting gap), and furthermore, competes with superconductivity resulting in a depression of the superconducting gap.