No Arabic abstract
The low temperature phase (LTP) of alpha-(BEDT-TTF)_2KHg(SCN)_4 salt is known for its surprising angular dependent magnetoresistance (ADMR), which has been studied intensively in the last decade. However, the nature of the LTP has not been understood until now. Here we analyse theoretically ADMR in unconventional (or nodal) charge density wave (UCDW). In magnetic field the quasiparticle spectrum in UCDW is quantized, which gives rise to spectacular ADMR. The present model accounts for many striking features of ADMR data in alpha-(BEDT-TTF)_2KHg(SCN)_4.
In spite of extensive experimental studies of the angular dependent magnetoresistance (ADMR) of the low temperature phase (LTP) of alpha-(BEDT-TTF)_2KHg(SCN)_4 about a decade ago, the nature of LTP remains elusive. Here we present a new study of ADMR of LTP in alpha-(ET)_2 salts assuming that LTP is unconventional charge density wave (UCDW). In the presence of magnetic field the quasiparticle spectrum in UCDW is quantized, which gives rise to striking ADMR in UCDW. The present model appears to account for many existing ADMR data of alpha-(BEDT-TTF)_2KHg(SCN)_4 remarkably well.
The dielectric constant and ac conductivity have been measured for the layered organic conductor theta-(BEDT-TTF)_2CsZn(SCN)_4 along the out-of-plane direction, which show a relaxation behavior similar to those in the charge-density-wave conductor. Most unexpectedly, they exhibit a large bias dependence with a hysteresis, and changes in magnitude by 100-1000 times at a threshold. These findings are very similar to the collective excitation of the charge density wave. theta-$(BEDT-TTF)_2CsZn(SCN)_4 has collective excitations associated with charge ordering, though it shows no clear indication of long range order.
The low-temperature charge-density-wave (CDW) state in the layered organic metals $alpha $-(BEDT-TTF)$_2$MHg(SCN)$_4$ has been studied by means of the Shubnikov -- de Haas and de Haas -- van Alphen effects. In addition to the dominant alpha-frequency, which is also observed in the normal state, both the magnetoresistance and magnetic torque possess a slowly oscillating component. These slow oscillations provide a firm evidence for the CDW-induced reconstruction of the original cylindrical Fermi surface. The alpha-oscillations of the interlayer magnetoresistance exhibit an anomalous phase inversion in the CDW state, whereas the de Haas -- van Alphen signal maintains the normal phase. We argue that the anomaly may be attributed to the magnetic-breakdown origin of the alpha-oscillations in the CDW state. A theoretical model illustrating the possibility of a phase inversion in the oscillating interlayer conductivity in the presence of a spatially fluctuating magnetic breakdown gap is proposed.
The organic charge-transfer salt $kappa$-(BEDT-TTF)$_{2}$Hg(SCN)$_{2}$Br is a quasi two-dimensional metal with a half-filled conduction band at ambient conditions. When cooled below $T=80$ K it undergoes a pronounced transition to an insulating phase where the resistivity increases many orders of magnitude. In order to elucidate the nature of this metal-insulator transition we have performed comprehensive transport, dielectric and optical investigations. The findings are compared with other dimerized $kappa$-(BEDT-TTF) salts, in particular the Cl-analogue, where a charge-order transition takes place at $T_{rm CO}=30$ K.
The effects of electron correlation in the quasi-two-dimensional organic conductor alpha-(BEDT-TTF)2I3 are investigated theoretically by using an extended Hubbard model with on-site and nearest-neighbor Coulomb interactions. A variational Monte Carlo method is applied to study its ground-state properties. We show that there appears a nonmagnetic horizontal-stripe charge order in which nearest-neighbor correlation functions indicate a tendency toward a spin-singlet formation on the bonds with large transfer integrals along the charge-rich stripe. Under uniaxial pressure, a first-order transition from the nonmagnetic charge order to a zero-gap state occurs. Our results on a spin correlation length in the charge-ordered state suggest that a spin gap is almost unaffected by the uniaxial pressure in spite of the suppression of the charge disproportionation. The relevance of these contrasting behaviors in spin and charge degrees of freedom to recent experimental observations is discussed.