Test for pairing symmetry based on spin fluctuations in the organic superconductor kappa-(BEDT-TTF)2X

We propose that the superconducting pairing symmetry of organic superconductors kappa-(BEDT-TTF)2X can be determined by measuring the position in momentum space of the incommensurate peaks of the spin susceptibility. Using the weak coupling BCS theory and including the many-body effects via the random-phase approximation for the Hubbard model on an anisotropic triangular lattice, we show that the position of these peaks is uniquely determined by the pairing symmetry of the superconducting state and the geometry of the Fermi surface. We demonstrate the different incommensurate patterns of spin responses for d(x(2)-y(2-)) and d(xy)-like pairing states. In addition, we find that there is no spin resonance mode in the reasonable range of parameters discussed.     

Effect of irradiation-induced disorder on the conductivity and critical temperature of the organic superconductor kappa-(BEDT-TTF)2Cu(SCN)2

We have introduced defects into clean samples of the organic superconductor kappa-(BEDT-TTF)(2)Cu(SCN)(2) in order to determine their effect on the temperature dependence of the interlayer conductivity and the critical temperature T(c). We find a violation of Matthiessen's rule that can be explained by a model of involving a defect-assisted interlayer channel which acts in parallel with the bandlike conductivity. We observe an unusual dependence of T(c) on residual resistivity, inconsistent with the generalized Abrikosov-Gor'kov theory for an order parameter with a single component, providing an important constraint on models of the superconductivity in this material.     

Vortex dynamics and the Fulde-Ferrell-Larkin-Ovchinnikov state in a magnetic-field-induced organic superconductor

Under special conditions, a superconducting state where the order parameter oscillates in real space, the so-called FFLO state, is theoretically predicted to exist near the upper critical field, as first proposed by Fulde and Ferrell, and Larkin and Ovchinnikov. We report systematic measurements of the interlayer resistance in high magnetic fields to 45 T in the two-dimensional magnetic-field-induced organic superconductor lambda-(BETS)2FeCl4, where BETS is bis(ethylenedithio)tetraselenafulvalene. The resistance is found to show characteristic dip structures in the superconducting state. The results are consistent with pinning interactions between the vortices penetrating the insulating layers and the order parameter of the FFLO state. This gives strong evidence for an oscillating order parameter in real space.     

Specific-heat measurements of the gap structure of the organic superconductors kappa-(ET)2Cu[N(CN)2]Br and kappa-(ET)2Cu(NCS)2

We present high resolution heat capacity measurements of the organic superconductors kappa-(ET)(2)Cu[N(CN)(2)]Br and kappa-(ET)(2)Cu(NCS)(2) in fields up to 14 T. We use the high field data to determine the normal state specific heat and hence extract the behavior of the electronic specific heat C(el) in the superconducting state in zero and finite fields. We find that in both materials for T/T(c) less or similar 0.3, C(el)(H=0) approximately T2 indicating d-wave superconductivity. The data are well described by a strong coupling d-wave model from our base temperature (T/T(c) approximately 0.1) right up to T(c). Our data help to resolve the controversy regarding the order parameter symmetry in these materials.     

Mott transition and transport crossovers in the organic compound kappa-(BEDT-TTF)2Cu[N(CN)2]Cl

We have performed in-plane transport measurements on the two-dimensional organic salt kappa-(BEDT-TTF)(2)Cu[N(CN)(2)]Cl. A variable (gas) pressure technique allows for a detailed study of the changes in conductivity through the insulator-to-metal transition. We identify four different transport regimes as a function of pressure and temperature (corresponding to insulating, semiconducting, "bad metal," and strongly correlated Fermi-liquid behaviors). Marked hysteresis is found in the transition region, which displays complex physics that we attribute to strong spatial inhomogeneities. Away from the critical region, good agreement is found with a dynamical mean-field calculation of transport properties using the numerical renormalization group technique.     

Knight shift tensors and π-spin densities in the organic metals αt-(BEDT-TTF)2I3 and (BEDT-TTF)2Cu(NCS)2

¹³C-MASS spectra of pure BEDT-TTF and of the organic metals α_t-(BEDT-TTF)₂I₃ and (BEDT-TTF)₂Cu(NCS)₂ were recorded atν _L = 68 MHz. Isotropic shifts and the principal components of the shift tensors were determined, respectively, from the center and spinning side bands. For pure BEDT-TTF which is a diamagnetic insolator, the measured shifts arechemical shifts while for the organic metals they are the sum of chemical and Knight shifts. In each of the compounds the shifts are assigned ingroups to theinner, middle andouter carbons of the BEDT-TTF molecule. For the organic metals the separation of the experimental shifts into chemical and Knight shifts is discussed. From the anisotropic part of the Knight shift tensors the π-spin densities at the carbon and sulphur positions of the BEDT-TTF molecule are inferred. The result is that the π-spin density of the unpaired hole is concentrated on the center part of the BEDT-TTF molecule, i.e., on the inner and middle carbons, and on the inner sulphurs. It is argued that the current density is concentrated on this part of the BEDT-TTF molecule as well.     

Nuclear-spin-lattice relaxation in the organic superconductor (BEDT-TTF)2Cu[N(CN)2]Br0.8Cl0.2

The behavior of the spin-lattice relaxation rate of ¹H nuclei in the organic superconductor (BEDT-TTF)₂Cu[N(CN)₂]Br_0.8Cl_0.2 in the temperature interval 12–319 K is investigated. A relaxation rate maximum, which depends on the resonance frequency and is associated with thermally activated vibrations of the end ethylene groups in the BEDT-TTF molecules, is observed in the vicinity of 270 K. The relaxation rate is observed to deviate from Korringa behavior at T<100 K. These deviations can be attributed to the existence of strong antiferromagnetic spin correlations. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 39, 39–41 (January 1997)     

Magnetic quantum oscillations in the organic superconductor κ-(BEDT-TTF)2Cu[N(CN)2]Br

The interlayer magnetoresistance of the organic superconductor κ-(BEDT-TTF)₂Cu[N(CN)₂)Br is measured at ambient pressure and under pressures of up to 12.5 kbar. In addition to the slow Shubnikov-de Haas oscillations with a frequency of ≃150 T observed at P⩾5 kbar, rapid oscillations attributed to the magnetic breakdown orbit enveloping an area equal to 100% of the area of the Brillouin zone are found to emerge above B=20 T. The latter oscillations are observed at ambient pressure as well as under pressures of up to 9 kbar. Pis’ma Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 66, No. 3, 190–194 (10 August 1997) Published in English in the original Russian journal. Edited by Steve Torstveit.     

Quantum melting of the quasi-two-dimensional vortex lattice in kappa- (ET)2Cu(NCS)(2)

We report torque magnetization measurements in regions of the mixed state phase diagram ( B approximately mu(o)H(c2) and T(c)/10(3)) of the organic superconductor kappa-(ET)2Cu(NCS)(2), where quantum fluctuations are expected to dominate thermal effects. Over most of the field range below the irreversibility line ( B(irr)), magnetothermal instabilities are observed in the form of flux jumps. The abrupt cessation of these instabilities just below B(irr) indicates a quantum melting transition from a quasi-two-dimensional vortex lattice phase to a quantum liquid phase.     

Amperean pairing instability in the U1 spin liquid state with fermi surface and application to kappa-(BEDT-TTF)2Cu2(CN)3

Recent experiments on the organic compound kappa-(BEDT-TTF)2Cu2(CN)3 raise the possibility that the system may be described as a quantum spin liquid. Here we propose a pairing state caused by the "Amperean" attractive interaction between spinons on a Fermi surface mediated by the U(1) gauge field. We show that this state can explain many of the observed low temperature phenomena and discuss testable consequences.     

Imaging phase separation near the Mott boundary of the correlated organic superconductors kappa-(BEDT-TTF)2X

Electronic phase separation consisting of the metallic and insulating domains with 50-100 microm in diameter is found in the organic Mott system kappa-[(h8-BEDT-TTF)(1-x)(d8-BEDT-TTF)x]2Cu[N(CN)2]Br by means of scanning microregion infrared spectroscopy using the synchrotron radiation. The phase separation appears below the critical end temperature 35-40 K of the first-order Mott transition. The observation of the macroscopic size of the domains indicates a different class of the intrinsic electronic inhomogeneity from the nanoscale one reported in the inorganic Mott systems such as high-Tc copper and manganese oxides.