Vortex phase diagram and the normal state of cuprates with charge and spin orders.

ABSTRACT: The phase diagram of underdoped cuprates in a magnetic field (H) is key to understanding the anomalous normal state of these high-temperature superconductors. However, the upper critical field (H c2), the extent of superconducting (SC) phase with vortices, and the role of charge orders at high H remain controversial. Here we study stripe-ordered La-214, i.e., cuprates in which charge orders are most pronounced and zero-field SC transition temperatures Tc0 are lowest. This enables us to explore the vortex phases in a previously inaccessible energy scale window. By combining linear and nonlinear transport techniques sensitive to vortex matter, we determine the T - H phase diagram, directly detect H c2, and reveal novel properties of the high-field ground state. Our results demonstrate that quantum fluctuations and disorder play a key role as T ? 0, while the high-field ground state is likely a metal, not an insulator, due to the presence of stripes.

SUBMITTER: Shi Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7021506 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature