Shubnikov - de Haas effect in the quantum vortex liquid state of the organic superconductor $\kappa$-(BEDT-TTF)$_{2}$Cu(NCS)$_{2}$

TL;DR

This study observes Shubnikov-de Haas oscillations in the vortex liquid state of an organic superconductor, revealing how quantum and thermal fluctuations affect electronic properties near the upper critical field.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed comparison of SdH and dHvA oscillations in the vortex liquid state, highlighting differences in damping due to quantum fluctuations and vortex dynamics.

Findings

SdH oscillations observed down to 5 T at 0.5 K

Additional damping near Hc2 explained by thermal fluctuations

Stronger damping of SdH in quantum fluctuation region

Abstract

We report the Shubnikov-de Haas (SdH) oscillations observed in the vortex liquid state of the quasi two dimensional organic superconductor $\kappa$-(BEDT-TTF)$_{2}$Cu(NCS)$_{2}$. The SdH oscillations can be observed down to about 5 T at 0.5 K, where the flux flow resistivity becomes as small as about 30 % of the normal state value. Below the upper critical field $H_{\rm c2}$ of about 7 T, the additional damping of the SdH oscillation amplitude appears, as well as that of the de Haas-van Alphen (dHvA) oscillations, with respect to the normal state one which is described with the standard Lifshitz-Kosevich formula. The magnitude of the additional damping near $H_{\rm c2}$ is the same with that observed in the dHvA oscillations and well explained by the theoretical predictions in consideration of fluctuations in the thermal vortex liquid state. In the quantum fluctuation region at lower temperature, however, only SdH effect shows the stronger damping than that of the dHvA oscillations. The different magnetic field dependence of the additional damping of the oscillation amplitude between the SdH and dHvA effects is discussed in connection with the effect of the transport current on the short-range order of vortices in the quantum vortex slush state reported at the same temperature and magnetic field region.