Quantum critical behavior of cuprate superconductors observed by inelastic X-ray scattering

TL;DR

This study provides experimental evidence for a quantum critical point in cuprate superconductors by revealing universal scaling behavior in charge correlations, suggesting a complex interplay of orders and quantum fluctuations within the superconducting phase.

Contribution

The paper demonstrates the existence of a quantum critical point in cuprates through inelastic X-ray scattering, revealing universal scaling and critical exponents, and linking it to the O(4) universality class.

Findings

Universal scaling of inverse correlation lengths across dopings and temperatures.

Critical exponent ν of approximately 0.74 confirming the QCP.

QCP belongs to the O(4) universality class, indicating intertwined orders.

Abstract

Progress toward a complete understanding of cuprate superconductors has been hindered by their intricate phase diagram, potentially linked to a quantum critical point (QCP). However, conclusive evidence for the QCP is lacking, as the presumed QCP is buried under the superconducting dome, disguising its presence. Here, we use high-resolution resonant inelastic X-ray scattering to examine the dynamical charge-charge correlation in La$_{2-x}$Sr$_x$CuO$_4$ and uncover the quantum critical scaling, a key feature required for a QCP. Specifically, \djh{we observed that the inverse correlation lengths for various dopings and temperatures collapsed onto a universal scaling curve, yielding a critical exponent $\nu$ of $0.74 \pm 0.08$. The non-negativity of this exponent confirms the presence of a QCP. Remarkably, the value of $\nu$ suggests that while the QCP is manifested through the charge-density wave, other orders also participate, such that the QCP appears to belong to the universality class characterized by the O(4) symmetry, reminiscent of the microscopic SO(4) symmetry in the Hubbard model at half-filling. Further analysis indicates that the QCP is highly dissipative with a short quasi-particle lifetime, reflecting the intertwined quantum fluctuations due to its being buried inside the superconducting state.