P. A. Goddard

Test for interlayer coherence in a quasi-two-dimensional superconductor.

Peaks in the magnetoresistivity of the layered superconductor kappa - (BEDT-TTF)2Cu(NCS)(2), measured in fields < or =45 T applied within the layers, show that the Fermi surface is extended in the interlayer direction and enable the interlayer transfer integral (t( perpendicular) approximately 0.04 meV) to be deduced. However, the quasiparticle scattering rate tau(-1) is such that Plancks over 2pi/tau approximately 6t( perpendicular), implying that kappa - (BEDT-TTF)2Cu(NCS)(2) meets the criterion used to identify interlayer incoherence. The applicability of this criterion to anisotropic materials is thus shown to be questionable.

Experimentally determining the exchange parameters of quasi-two-dimensional Heisenberg magnets

Though long-range magnetic order cannot occur at temperatures T > 0 in a perfect two-dimensional (2D) Heisenberg magnet, real quasi-2D materials will invariably possess nonzero inter-plane coupling J? driving the system to order at elevated temperatures. This process can be studied using quantum Monte Carlo calculations. However, it is difficult to test the results of these calculations experimentally since for highly anisotropic materials in which the in-plane coupling is comparable with attainable magnetic fields J? is necessarily very small and inaccessible directly. In addition, because of the large anisotropy, the Neel temperatures are low and difficult to determine from thermodynamic measurements. Here, we present an elegant method of assessing the calculations via two independent experimental probes: pulsed-field magnetization in fields of up to 85T, and muon-spin rotation.

Evolution Of Magnetic Interactions In A Pressure-Induced Jahn-Teller Driven Magnetic Dimensionality Switch

We present the results of high-field magnetization and muon-spin relaxation measurements on the coordination polymer CuF 2 (H 2 O) 2 (pyrazine) in pressures up to 22.5 kbar. We observe a transition from a quasi-two-dimensional to a quasi-one-dimensional antiferromagnetic phase at 9.1 kbar, driven by a rotation of the Jahn-Teller axis. Long-range antiferromagnetic ordering is seen in both regimes, as well as a phase separation in the critical pressure region. The magnetic dimensionality switching as pressure is increased is accompanied by a halving of the primary magnetic exchange energy J and a fivefold decrease in the ordering temperature T N . J decreases gradually with pressure in the two-dimensional phase, and then increases in the one-dimensional regime. We relate both effects to the changes in the crystal structure with applied pressure.

Catastrophic Fermi Surface Reconstruction in the Shape-Memory Alloy AuZn

AuZn undergoes a shape-memory transition at 67 K. The de Haas-van Alphen effect persists to 100 K enabling the observation of a change in the quantum oscillation spectrum indicative of a catastrophic Fermi surface reconstruction at the transition. The coexistence of both Fermi surfaces at low temperatures suggests an intrinsic phase separation in the bulk of the material. In addition, Dingle analysis reveals a sharp change in the scattering mechanism at a threshold cyclotron radius, attributable to the underlying microstructure driving the shape-memory effect.

Persistence to high temperatures of interlayer coherence in an organic superconductor.

The interlayer magnetoresistance rho(zz) of the organic metal kappa-(BEDT-TTF)(2)Cu(NCS)(2) is studied in fields of up to 45 T and at temperatures T from 0.5 to 30 K. The peak in rho(zz) seen in in-plane fields, a definitive signature of interlayer coherence, remains to Ts exceeding the Anderson criterion for incoherent transport by a factor approximately 30. Angle-dependent magnetoresistance oscillations are modeled using an approach based on field-induced quasiparticle paths on a 3D Fermi surface, to yield the T dependence of the scattering rate tau(-1). The results suggest that tau(-1) does not vary strongly over the Fermi surface, and that it has a T(2) dependence due to electron-electron scattering.

Measurement of magnetic susceptibility in pulsed magnetic fields using a proximity detector oscillator

We present a novel susceptometer with a particularly small spatial footprint and no moving parts. The susceptometer is suitable for use in systems with limited space where magnetic measurements may not have been previously possible, such as in pressure cells and rotators, as well as in extremely high pulsed fields. The susceptometer is based on the proximity detector oscillator, which has a broad dynamic resonant frequency range and has so far been used predominantly for transport measurements. We show that for insulating samples, the resonance frequency behavior as a function of field consists of a magnetoresistive and an inductive component, originating, respectively, from the sensor coil and the sample. The response of the coil is modeled, and upon subtraction of the magnetoresistive component the dynamic magnetic susceptibility and magnetization can be extracted. We successfully measure the magnetization of the organic molecular magnets Cu(H(2)O)(5)(VOF(4))(H(2)O) and [Cu(HF(2))(pyz)(2)]BF(4) in pulsed magnetic fields and by comparing the results to that from a traditional extraction susceptometer confirm that the new system can be used to measure and observe magnetic susceptibilities and phase transitions.

Angle-dependent magnetoresistance oscillations due to magnetic breakdown orbits

We present experimental evidence for a hitherto unconfirmed type of angle-dependent magnetoresistance oscillation caused by magnetic breakdown. The effect was observed in the organic superconductor

A de Haas–van Alphen study of the filled skutterudite compounds PrOs4As12 and LaOs4As12

\ensuremath{\kappa}\text{\ensuremath{-}}{(\mathrm{BEDT}\text{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{TTF})}_{2}\mathrm{Cu}{(\mathrm{NCS})}_{2}

A new quantum fluid at high magnetic fields in the marginal charge-density-wave system

using hydrostatic pressures of up to

\alpha

9.8\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{kbar}