Magnetic order in the pseudogap phase of high-$T_C$ superconductors

TL;DR

This paper reports the discovery of a novel magnetic order in the pseudogap phase of high-$T_C$ cuprates, providing direct evidence of a hidden order parameter using polarized neutron diffraction.

Contribution

It presents the first direct evidence of a magnetic order preserving translational symmetry in the pseudogap phase of high-$T_C$ superconductors, supporting circulating current theories.

Findings

Identification of a novel magnetic order in YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{6+x}$

Magnetic order preserves translational symmetry

Supports circulating current theory of pseudogap

Abstract

One of the leading issues in high-$T_C$ superconductors is the origin of the pseudogap phase in underdoped cuprates. Using polarized elastic neutron diffraction, we identify a novel magnetic order in the YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{6+x}$ system. The observed magnetic order preserves translational symmetry as proposed for orbital moments in the circulating current theory of the pseudogap state. To date, it is the first direct evidence of an hidden order parameter characterizing the pseudogap phase in high-$T_C$ cuprates.