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Charge freezing in the zigzag chain PrBa2Cu4O8 cuprate
S Fujiyama1, M Takigawa, S Horii
1Institute for Solid State Physics, University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8581, Japan. fujiyama@ims.ac.jp
Nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) studies reveal electric field gradient fluctuations in PrBa2Cu4O8. Slow charge fluctuations, possibly electronic or ionic, gradually freeze at low temperatures, impacting conductivity.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Materials Science
- Solid-State Chemistry
Background:
- PrBa2Cu4O8 is a quasi-one-dimensional conductor with a nearly quarter-filled band.
- Understanding charge dynamics is crucial for novel electronic materials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate charge fluctuations in PrBa2Cu4O8 using nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR).
- To elucidate the nature and temperature dependence of these fluctuations.
Main Methods:
- Nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) spectroscopy was employed.
- Measurements included nuclear spin-lattice relaxation rate (1/T1) and spin-echo decay rate (1/T2).
- NQR spectral broadening was analyzed.
Main Results:
- A peak in 1/T1 near 100 K was attributed to electric field gradient fluctuations.
- A similar peak in 1/T2 was observed near 50 K.
- NQR spectra broadened at low temperatures.
Conclusions:
- The observed phenomena indicate slow charge fluctuations in PrBa2Cu4O8.
- These fluctuations are of either electronic or ionic origin.
- The charge fluctuations gradually freeze as temperature decreases.
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