Raman Scattering in Cuprate Superconductors

A theory for electronic Raman scattering in the cuprate superconductors is presented with a specific emphasis on the polarization dependence of the spectra which can infer the symmetry of the energy gap. Signatures of the effects of disorder on the low frequency and low temperature behavior of the Raman spectra for different symmetry channels provide detailed information about the magnitude and the phase of the energy gap. Properties of the theory for finite T are discussed and compared to recent data concerning the doping dependence of the Raman spectra in cuprate superconductors, and remaining questions are addressed.