Two-Dimensional Superconducting Fluctuations in Stripe-Ordered La(1.875)Ba(0.125)CuO(4)

TL;DR

This study reveals that stripe order in La(1.875)Ba(0.125)CuO(4) induces two-dimensional superconducting fluctuations and decouples CuO2 planes, leading to a 2D superconducting state below a BKT transition.

Contribution

It demonstrates the presence of 2D superconducting fluctuations and electronic decoupling in stripe-ordered cuprates, highlighting the role of stripe order in 2D superconductivity.

Findings

Observation of a transition to 2D fluctuating superconductivity.

Electronic decoupling of CuO2 planes associated with stripe order.

Evidence of a Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless transition.

Abstract

Recent spectroscopic observations of a d-wave-like gap in stripe-ordered La(2-x)Ba(x)CuO(4) with x=1/8 have led us to critically analyze the anisotropic transport and magnetization properties of this material. The data suggest that concomitant with the spin ordering is an electronic decoupling of the CuO(2) planes. We observe a transition (or crossover) to a state of two-dimensional (2D) fluctuating superconductivity, which eventually reaches a 2D superconducting state below a Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless transition. Thus, it appears that the stripe order in La(2-x)Ba(x)CuO(4) frustrates three-dimensional superconducting phase order, but is fully compatible with 2D superconductivity and an enhanced T_c.