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Absence of residual quasiparticle conductivity in the underdoped cuprate YBa2Cu4O8

N. E. Hussey·S. Nakamae·K. Behnia·H. Takagi·C. Urano·S. Adachi·S. Tajima
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Abstract

We report here measurements of the in-plane thermal conductivity K(T) of the underdoped cuprate YBa2Cu4O8 (Y124) below 1K. K(T) is shown to follow a simple, phononic T^3 dependence at the lowest temperatures for both current directions, with a negligible linear, quasiparticle contribution. This observation is in marked contrast with behavior reported in optimally doped cuprates, and implies that extended zero-energy (or low energy) low-energy quasiparticles are absent in YBa2Cu4O8 at low temperatures.

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N. E. Hussey, S. Nakamae, K. Behnia, H. Takagi, C. Urano, S. Adachi, S. Tajima. 2000-06-20. Absence of residual quasiparticle conductivity in the underdoped cuprate YBa2Cu4O8. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.85.4140

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