Paul Goddard

Abstract:

Peaks in the interlayer magnetoresistance of the layered superconductor kappa-(BEDT-TTF)(2)Cu(NCS)(2) are observed in the presence of an exactly in-plane magnetic field. The existence of these resistance peaks implies the presence of a three-dimensional Fermi surface extending in the interlayer region. Analysis of the width of the peaks yields a value for the interlayer transfer integral. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Abstract:

The interlayer transfer integrals of various organic superconductors have been deduced using high-magnetic-field techniques. The measurements demonstrate the inappropriateness of criteria used to denote incoherent interlayer transport.

Abstract:

The conducting properties of the pressure-induced, layered organic superconductor (BEDT-TTF)3Cl2·2H2O have been studied at 13.5 and 14.0 kbar using low temperatures, high magnetic fields and two-axis rotation. An upper critical field that is significantly larger than that expected from the Pauli paramagnetic limit is observed when the field is applied parallel to the conducting layers. The angle-dependent magnetoresistance suggests incoherent transport between the conducting layers at both pressures and the observed negative magnetoresistance at 13.5 kbar can be explained by considering Anderson localization within the layers. Further application of pressure destroys the effects of localization.

Abstract:

Details of the Fermi-surface topology of deuterated κ(BEDT-TFF)2Cu(NCS)2 (where BEDT-TTF ≡ bis(ethylene-dithio)tetrathiafulvalene) have been measured as a function of pressure, and compared with equivalent measurements of the undeuterated salt. We find that the superconducting transition temperature is much more dramatically suppressed by increasing pressure in the deuterated salt. It is suggested that this is linked to pressure-induced changes in the Fermi-surface topology, which occur more rapidly in the deuterated salt than in the undeuterated salt as the pressure is raised. Our data suggest that the negative isotope effect observed on deuteration is due to small differences in Fermi-surface topology caused by the isotopic substitution.

Abstract:

Peaks in the magnetoresistivity of the layered superconductor kappa - (BEDT-TTF)2Cu(NCS)(2), measured in fields < or =45 T applied within the layers, show that the Fermi surface is extended in the interlayer direction and enable the interlayer transfer integral (t( perpendicular) approximately 0.04 meV) to be deduced. However, the quasiparticle scattering rate tau(-1) is such that Planck's over 2pi/tau approximately 6t( perpendicular), implying that kappa - (BEDT-TTF)2Cu(NCS)(2) meets the criterion used to identify interlayer incoherence. The applicability of this criterion to anisotropic materials is thus shown to be questionable.