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Superconductivity, quantum Hall effect, and magnetic field induced spin density waves in (TMTSF)[sub 2]X

Thesis/Dissertation ·
OSTI ID:7273971

A remarkable diversity of phenomena is observed in the quasi-low dimensional organic conductor (TMTSF)[sub 2]PF[sub 6] and other Bechgaard salts. An extensive phase diagram study shows that a single crystal of (TMTSF)[sub 2]PF[sub 6] exhibits metallic, semiconducting, semimetallic, antiferromagnetic, spin density wave (SDW), and superconducting phases as pressure, temperature, and magnetic field are varied. In addition, (TMTSF)[sub 2]PF[sub 6] exhibits a set of unique magnetic Field-Induced Spin Density Wave (FISDW) transitions and is the first bulk material to exhibit Quantum Hall effect (QHE). The phase diagram of (TMTSF)[sub 2]PF[sub 6] shows a good agreement with the [open quotes]standard model[close quotes] of FISDW. The phase diagram shifts nicely with pressure and magnetic field and can be understood as a consequence of changing dimensionality of the system. Under tilted magnetic field, spectacular resonances occur in both the metallic and the FISDW states at the [open quotes]magic[close quotes] angles where the electronic motion becomes commensurate. Another member of the Bechgaard salt (TMTSF)[sub 2]ClO[sub 4] also undergoes FISDW transition. However, it exhibits a more complicated behavior such as oscillatory Hall effect, possible fractional QHE, reentrant phase diagram, and a high field insulating phase. The author has found that it is possible to suppress the anion ordering transition in (TMTSF)[sub 2]ClO[sub 4] by application of pressure greater than 5 kbar. Without anion ordering the ClO[sub 4] salt exhibits FISDW behavior similar to (TMTSF)[sub 2]PF[sub 6]. Below 5 kbar, the system reverts back to the complicated behavior. In the non-superconducting member of Bechgaard salt, (TMTSF)[sub 2]NO[sub 3], presence of low temperature SDW phase but no superconductivity and FISDW suggests importance of electron-electron interaction and questions the present understanding of FISDW.

Research Organization:
Princeton Univ., NJ (United States)
OSTI ID:
7273971
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English