Restored strange metal phase through suppression of charge density waves in underdoped YBa2Cu3O7-δ

Science. 2021 Sep 24;373(6562):1506-1510. doi: 10.1126/science.abc8372. Epub 2021 Sep 23.

Abstract

The normal state of optimally doped cuprates is dominated by the “strange metal” phase that shows a linear temperature (T) dependence of the resistivity persisting down to the lowest T. For underdoped cuprates, this behavior is lost below the pseudogap temperature T*, where charge density waves (CDWs), together with other intertwined local orders, characterize the ground state. We found that the T-linear resistivity of highly strained, ultrathin, underdoped YBa2Cu3O7–δ films is restored when the CDW amplitude, detected by resonant inelastic x-ray scattering, is suppressed. This observation suggests an intimate connection between the onset of CDWs and the departure from T-linear resistivity in underdoped cuprates. Our results illustrate the potential of using strain control to manipulate the ground state of quantum materials.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't