Abstract

Momentum-resolved inelastic resonant x-ray scattering is used to map the doping evolution of bulk electronic modes in the doped Mott insulator class Nd₂₋ₓCeₓCuO₄. As the doping induced antiferromagnet/superconductor (AFM/SC) transition is approached, we observe an anisotropic redistribution of the spectral weight of collective excitations over a large energy scale along the Γ→(π,π) direction, whereas the modes exhibit broadening (∼1 eV) with relatively little softening along Γ→(π,0) with respect to the parent Mott state (x=0). Our study reveals a closing of the charge gap in the vicinity of the zone center even though the mode softening and spectral redistribution involve an unusually large energy scale over the full Brillouin zone. The collective behavior of modes in the vicinity of the AFM/SC critical transition is demonstrated.

Notes

Originally published in Physical Review B v.78 (2008): 073104. DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.78.073104

Keywords

Nd₂₋ₓCeₓCuO₄, Mott state, Mott insulator, x-ray imaging

Subject Categories

Superconductors, Antiferromagnetism, X-rays - Scattering

Disciplines

Physics

Publisher

American Physical Society

Publication Date

8-15-2008

Rights Information

Copyright 2008 American Physical Society.

Rights Holder

American Physical Society



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