Central mode and spin confinement near the boundary of the superconducting phase in YBa2Cu3O6.353 (Tc=18 K)
Embargo until
Date
2006-03-01
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
American Physical Society
Abstract
We have mapped the neutron scattering spin spectrum at low energies in YBa2Cu3O6.353 (Tc=18 K), where the doping ~0.06 is near the critical value (pc=0.055) for superconductivity. No coexistence with long-range-ordered antiferromagnetism is found. The spins fluctuate on two energy scales: one a damped spin response with a ≃2 meV relaxation rate and the other a central mode with a relaxation rate that slows to less than 0.08 meV below Tc. The spectrum mirrors that of a soft mode driving a central mode. Extremely short correlation lengths, 42±5 Å in-plane and 8±2 Å along the c direction, and isotropic spin orientations for the central mode indicate that the correlations are subcritical with respect to any second-order transition to Neel order. The dynamics follows a model where damped spin fluctuations are coupled to the slow fluctuations of regions with correlations shortened by the hole doping.
Description
Keywords
second-order transition, isotropic spin orientations, neutron diffraction, doping, soft modes, damped spin response, barium compounds, Neel order, high-temperature superconductors, yttrium compounds, spin dynamics, neutron scattering, YBa2Cu3O6.353
Citation
Physical Review B (Condensed Matter and Materials Physics) 1 March 2006, vol.73, no.10, pp. 100504-1-4