Dynamics of topological defects in a spiral: a scenario for the spin-glass phase of cuprates

TL;DR

This paper suggests that the dissipative behavior of topological defects in a spiral state explains the anisotropic, linear-temperature dependence of in-plane resistivity observed in the spin-glass phase of cuprates.

Contribution

It introduces a model linking topological defect dynamics to transport properties in cuprates, highlighting dissipation effects and magnetic excitation coupling.

Findings

Dissipative dynamics of topological defects explains resistivity behavior.

Calculated damping matrix matches experimental anisotropic resistivity.

Model reproduces linear temperature dependence of resistivity.

Abstract

We propose that the dissipative dynamics of topological defects in a spiral state is responsible for the transport properties in the spin-glass phase of cuprates. Using the collective-coordinate method, we show that topological defects are coupled to a bath of magnetic excitations. By integrating out the bath degrees of freedom, we find that the dynamical properties of the topological defects are dissipative. The calculated damping matrix is related to the in-plane resistivity, which exhibits an anisotropy and linear temperature dependence in agreement with experimental data.