Collective dynamics and strong pinning near the onset of charge order in La1.48Nd0.4Sr0.12CuO4

Baity, P.G. , Sasagawa, T. and Popović, D. (2018) Collective dynamics and strong pinning near the onset of charge order in La1.48Nd0.4Sr0.12CuO4. Physical Review Letters, 120(15), 156602. (doi: 10.1103/physrevlett.120.156602)

Abstract

The dynamics of charge-ordered states is one of the key issues in underdoped cuprate high-temperature superconductors, but static short-range charge-order (CO) domains have been detected in almost all cuprates. We probe the dynamics across the CO (and structural) transition in La 1.48 Nd 0.4 Sr 0.12 CuO 4 by measuring nonequilibrium charge transport, or resistance R as the system responds to a change in temperature and to an applied magnetic field. We find evidence for metastable states, collective behavior, and criticality. The collective dynamics in the critical regime indicates strong pinning by disorder. Surprisingly, nonequilibrium effects, such as avalanches in R , are revealed only when the critical region is approached from the charge-ordered phase. Our results on La 1.48 Nd 0.4 Sr 0.12 CuO 4 provide the long-sought evidence for the fluctuating order across the CO transition, and also set important constraints on theories of dynamic stripes.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Baity, Dr Paul
• Authors: Baity, P.G., Sasagawa, T., and Popović, D.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Electronics and Nanoscale Engineering
• Journal Name: Physical Review Letters
• Publisher: American Physical Society
• ISSN: 0031-9007
• ISSN (Online): 1079-7114
• Published Online: 12 April 2018
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2018 American Physical Society
• First Published: First published in Physical Review Letters 120(15): 156602
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy