Disorder-driven magnetic field-dependent phases in an organic conductor

TL;DR

This study investigates high magnetic field effects on an organic conductor, revealing a disorder-induced transition from metallic to insulating states that preserves 2D Fermi surface properties, highlighting the role of inter-plane disorder.

Contribution

It demonstrates a disorder-driven phase transition in an organic conductor under high magnetic fields, emphasizing the impact of inter-plane disorder on electronic transport.

Findings

Hysteretic first order transition from metallic to insulating state between 36-60 T

Transition does not affect 2D Fermi surface oscillations

System becomes a strictly 2D Fermi-liquid at high magnetic fields

Abstract

We report inter-plane ($R_{zz}$) electrical transport measurements in the \tp series of organic conductors at very high magnetic fields. In the field range between 36 and 60 T $R_{zz}$ shows a very hysteretic first order phase transition from metallic to an insulating state. This transition does not affect the Shubnikov-de-Haas oscillations associated with the two-dimensional (2D) Fermi surface. We argue that this transition originates from inter-plane disorder which gives rise to incoherent transport along the least conducting axis. We conclude that this system becomes a strictly 2D Fermi-liquid at high magnetic fields.