Work

Dynamic competition between Cooper pair and spin density wave condensation

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Quantum matter phases may coexist microscopically even when they display competing tendencies. A fundamental question is whether such a competition can be avoided through the elimination of one phase while the other one condenses into the ground state. Here, we present a high-resolution neutron spectroscopy study of the low-energy spin excitations in the high-temperature superconductor La1.855Sr0.145CuO4. In the normal state, we find low-energy magnetic fluctuations at incommensurate reciprocal lattice positions where spin-density-wave order emerges at lower Sr concentration or at high magnetic fields. While these spin excitations are largely suppressed by the emergence of the superconducting spin gap, some low-energy magnetic fluctuations persist deep inside the superconducting state. We interpret this result in terms of a dynamic competition between superconductivity and magnetism, where superconductivity impedes the condensation of low-energy magnetic fluctuations through the formation of magnetically mediated Cooper pairs.

Source: Zurich Open Repository and Archive (University of Zurich)

DOI: 10.5167/uzh-283576

Authors: Decrausaz, B., Pikulski, M., Ivashko, O., Christensen, N. B., Choi, J., Udby, L., Niedermayer, Ch., Lefmann, K., Rønnow, H. M., Mesot, J., Ollivier, J., Kurosawa, T., Momono, N., Oda, M., Chang, J., Mazzone, D. G.

Language: English

Topic: Physics of Superconductivity and Magnetism

Subfield: Condensed Matter Physics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

OpenAlex ID: W7126091961

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