Antiferromagnetic Spin Fluctuations in the Metallic Phase of Quasi-Two-Dimensional Organic Superconductors

TL;DR

This paper analyzes nuclear magnetic resonance data in organic superconductors using a spin fluctuation model, revealing antiferromagnetic correlations and evidence of a pseudogap similar to cuprates, with implications for understanding their electronic states.

Contribution

It applies the M-MMP spin fluctuation model to NMR data in organic superconductors, identifies limitations near the Mott phase, and suggests the presence of a pseudogap consistent with RVB theory.

Findings

Antiferromagnetic correlations grow as temperature decreases.

The Korringa ratio exceeds unity, challenging certain theoretical models.

Evidence suggests a pseudogap forms below T_nmr in materials near the Mott phase.

Abstract

We give a quantitative analysis of the previously published nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments in the k-(ET)2X family of organic charge transfer salts by using the phenomenological spin fluctuation model of Moriya, and Millis, Monien and Pines (M-MMP). For temperatures above T_nmr ~ 50 K, the model gives a good quantitative description of the data in the metallic phases of several k-(ET)2X materials. These materials display antiferromagnetic correlation lengths which increase with decreasing temperature and grow to several lattice constants by T_nmr. It is shown that the fact that the dimensionless Korringa ratio is much larger than unity is inconsistent with a broad class of theoretical models (such as dynamical mean-field theory) which neglects spatial correlations and/or vertex corrections. For materials close to the Mott insulating phase the nuclear spin relaxation rate, the Knight shift and the Korringa ratio all decrease significantly with decreasing temperature below T_nmr. This cannot be described by the M-MMP model and the most natural explanation is that a pseudogap, similar to that observed in the underdoped cuprate superconductors, opens up in the density of states below T_nmr. Such a pseudogap has recently been predicted to occur in the dimerised organic charge transfer salts materials by the resonating valence bond (RVB) theory. We propose specific new experiments on organic superconductors to elucidate these issues. For example, measurements to see if high magnetic fields or high pressures can be used to close the pseudogap would be extremely valuable.