Magnetotransport properties of untwinned YBa2Cu3Oy single crystals: novel 60-K-phase anomalies in the charge transport Original Research Article

We present the result of our accurate measurements of the a- and b-axis resistivity (ρa and ρb), magnetoconductivity Δσ/σ, Hall coefficient RH, and the a-axis thermopower Sa in untwinned YBa2Cu3Oy single crystals in a wide range of doping (6.45≤y≤7.0). The systematics of our data reveals a number of novel 60-K-phase anomalies in the charge transport: (i) temperature dependences of ρa show anomalous overlap below ∼130 K for 6.65≤y≤6.80, (ii) Hall mobility μH shows an enhancement near y≃6.65, which is reflected in an anomalous y dependence of σxy, (iii) with decreasing temperature RH shows a marked drop upon approaching Tc only in samples with 6.70≤y≤6.85, (iv) superconducting fluctuation magnetoconductivity is anomalously enhanced near y≃6.7, and (v) Hc2 is anomalously reduced near y≃6.70. We discuss that the fluctuating charge stripes might be responsible for these anomalies in the charge transport.