1. Quantum criticality tuned by magnetic field in optimally electron-doped cuprate thin films
- Author
-
Jie Yuan, Junfeng Wang, Beiyi Zhu, Yang Yang, Kui Jin, Qian Li, Liang Li, Anna F. Kusmartseva, Xu Zhang, Ge He, Tao Xiang, Run-Qiu Yang, Rong-Gen Cai, Ziquan Lin, Feodor Kusmartsev, Qihong Chen, and Heshan Yu
- Subjects
Quantum phase transition ,Superconductivity ,Physics ,Phase transition ,Electron pair ,Magnetoresistance ,Condensed matter physics ,02 engineering and technology ,021001 nanoscience & nanotechnology ,01 natural sciences ,Condensed Matter::Superconductivity ,0103 physical sciences ,Antiferromagnetism ,Condensed Matter::Strongly Correlated Electrons ,Cuprate ,010306 general physics ,0210 nano-technology ,Spin-½ - Abstract
Antiferromagnetic (AF) spin fluctuations are commonly believed to play a key role in electron pairing of cuprate superconductors. In electron-doped cuprates, a paradox still exists about the interplay among different electronic states in quantum perturbations, especially between superconducting and magnetic states. Here, we report a systematic transport study of cation-optimized ${\mathrm{La}}_{2\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{Ce}}_{x}{\mathrm{CuO}}_{4\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}\ensuremath{\delta}}$ $(x=0.10)$ thin films in high magnetic fields. We find an AF quantum phase transition near 60 T, where the Hall number jumps from ${n}_{\mathrm{H}}=\ensuremath{-}x$ to ${n}_{\mathrm{H}}=1\ensuremath{-}x$, resembling the change in ${n}_{\mathrm{H}}$ at the AF boundary $({x}_{\mathrm{AF}}=0.14)$ tuned by Ce doping. In the AF region a spin-dependent state manifesting anomalous positive magnetoresistance is observed, which is closely related to superconductivity. Once the AF state is suppressed by magnetic field, a polarized ferromagnetic state is predicted, reminiscent of the recently reported ferromagnetic state at the quantum end point of the superconducting dome by Ce doping. The magnetic field that drives phase transitions in a manner similar to but distinct from doping thereby provides a unique perspective to understand the quantum criticality of electron-doped cuprates.
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF