Anisotropic effect of field on the orthorhombic-to-tetragonal transition in the striped cuprate (La,Nd)_{2-x}Sr_xCuO_4

TL;DR

This study investigates how magnetic fields oriented along different axes influence the orthorhombic-to-tetragonal phase transition in Nd-doped cuprates, revealing anisotropic effects linked to magnetic ordering involving Nd and Cu spins.

Contribution

It demonstrates the anisotropic influence of magnetic fields on the phase transition and highlights the role of magnetic ordering in driving structural changes in Nd-doped cuprates.

Findings

Magnetic field along the a-axis increases T_d

Magnetic field along the c-axis decreases T_d

Anisotropic effects observed in susceptibility and magnetoresistance

Abstract

The Nd-doped cuprate La_{2-y-x}Nd_ySr_xCuO_4 displays a first-order phase transition at T_d (= 74 K for x=0.10, y = 0.60) to a low-temperature tetragonal (LTT) phase. A magnetic field H applied || the a-axis leads to an increase in T_d, whereas T_d is decreased when H || c. These effects show that magnetic ordering involving both Nd and Cu spins plays a key role in driving the LTO-LTT transition. Related anisotropic effects are observed in the uniform susceptibility and the in-plane magnetoresistance.