No abstract available

[en] The phase diagram of the cuprate superconductors continues to pose formidable scientific challenges. While these materials are typically viewed as doped Mott insulators, it is well known that they are Fermi liquids at high hole-dopant concentrations. It was recently demonstrated that at moderate doping, in the pseudogap (PG) region of the phase diagram, the charge carriers are also best described as a Fermi liquid. Nevertheless, the relationship between the two Fermi-liquid (FL) regions and the nature of the strange-metal (SM) state at intermediate doping have remained unsolved. Here we show for the case of the model cuprate superconductor HgBa₂CuO_4+δ that the normal-state transport scattering rate determined from the cotangent of the Hall angle remains quadratic in temperature across the PG temperature, upon entering the SM state, and that it is doping-independent below optimal doping. Analysis of prior transport results for other cuprates reveals that this behavior is universal throughout the entire phase diagram and points to a pervasive FL transport scattering rate. These observations can be reconciled with a variety of other experimental results for the cuprates upon considering the possibility that the PG phenomenon is associated with the gradual, non-uniform localization of one hole per planar CuO₂ unit. (paper)

No abstract available

[en] The influence of the external magnetic field B (B ≤ 4 T) on resistivity in magnetite single crystal was studied at few temperatures both below and above the Verwey transition temperature T_V, and in two <1 0 0> type cubic directions. We have succeeded to confirm our predictions that the magnetic axis switching affects electronic transport. It was also found that the transverse resistivity (B -perpendicular current direction) exceeds longitudinal one, but only for T > T_V, with no obvious systematics below the transition temperature. This may indicate that atomic disorder, inherent and poorly defined in a material with structural domains, is the primary factor that governs transport properties below the transition temperature. Finally, and concomitant with the last statement, only very small magnetic field dependence in magnetite below T_V may be inferred from our data.

[en] The easy magnetic axis switching in magnetite is investigated. Magnetization data confirmed activation character of the process with activation energy of the same order as that of the Verwey transition, suggesting common origin. On the other hand this activation energy rises with pressure (up to 1.2GPa), unlike T_V. The axis switching is clearly reflected in field dependence of resistivity and the direct structural data showed that it is simultaneous with the reorganization of structure. Thus, control of the structure can be possible with the application of magnetic field, as in shape memory materials. Finally, NMR showed that all, possibly decoupled entities: lattice distortion and charge and orbital orderings, change simultaneously while the axis switching occurs.

[en] Following the controversy between two previous publications (Lorenzo et al 2008 Phys. Rev. Lett. 101 226401 and Garcia et al 2009 Phys. Rev. Lett. 102 176405), we report on the influence of mechanical polishing, and subsequent sample storage, on the electronic order at the Verwey transition of highly pure magnetite, Fe₃O₄, by resonant x-ray scattering. Contrary to expectations, mechanically polishing the surface induces an inhomogeneous micron deep dead layer, probably of powdered Fe₃O₄. In addition, we have found that polishing the sample immediately before the experiment influences and favors the appearance of long range order electronic correlations, whereas samples polished well in advance have their electronic order quenched. Conversely, lattice distortions associated with the Verwey transition appear less affected by the surface state. We conclude that mechanical polishing induces stresses at the surface that may propagate into the core of the single crystal sample. These strains relax with time, which affects the different order parameters, as measured by x-ray resonant diffraction.