Rigorous study of the gap equation for an inhomogeneous superconducting state near T/sub c/

An analytical study of the gap equation in the Bogoliubov formulation is presented. The normal-superconducting phase boundary is simulated by the expression Δ (R/sup =/) = Δ/sub infinity/ tanh / α Δ/sub infinity/z/v/sub f/) theta(z) where Δ/sub infinity/(t) is the equilibrium gap, theta (z) a unit step function and v/sub f/ the Fermi velocity. The Bogoliubov-de Gennes equations are solved in a nonperturbative WKBJ approximation. The gap equation is expanded near T/sub c/ in powers of Δ/sub infinity/ and the major term is of the same order as that given by the Ginzburg-Landau-Gor'kov approximation. Discrepancies in the two values are discussed in detail. It is concluded that the present technique reproduces the Ginzburg-Landau-Gor'kov results except within a BCS coherence length. 25 references