Competition and coexistence of antiferromagnetism and superconductivity in RBa_2Cu_3O_{6+x} (R = Lu, Y) single crystals

TL;DR

This study investigates how antiferromagnetism and superconductivity coexist and compete in underdoped RBa_2Cu_3O_{6+x} single crystals, revealing their emergence from an anisotropic metallic state and the influence of magnetic fields on their interplay.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the coexistence and competition between AF and SC orders in cuprates, highlighting the effects of magnetic fields on their interplay.

Findings

AF opposes SC by localizing holes

SC appears before AF is fully suppressed

Magnetic fields suppress SC and stabilize AF order

Abstract

We use c-axis resistivity and magnetoresistance measurements to study the interplay between antiferromagnetic (AF) and superconducting (SC) ordering in underdoped RBa_2Cu_3O_{6+x} (R = Lu, Y) single crystals. Both orders are found to emerge from an anisotropic 3D metallic state, upon which antiferromagnetism opposes superconductivity by driving the doped holes towards localization. Despite the competition, the superconductivity sets in before the AF order is completely destroyed and coexists with latter in a certain range of hole doping. We find also that strong magnetic fields affect the AF-SC interplay by both suppressing the superconductivity and stabilizing the Neel order.