Microwave transport approach to the coherence of interchain hopping in (TMTSF)₂PF₆

Abstract:

We report a microwave study of the longitudinal and transverse transport properties of the quasi-one-dimensional organic conductor (TMTSF)₂PF₆ in its normal phase. The contactless technique have provided a direct measurement of the temperature profile of the resistivity along the b' direction and in magnetic fields up to 14 T. A characteristic energy scale T_x ∼ 40 K) has been observed which delimits a transient regime from an insulating to a metallic behavior. This anomalous profile is discussed in terms of the onset of coherent transport properties along the b' direction below 40 K. This is also supported by the observation of a finite longitudinal and transverse magnetoresistances only below 40 K, indicative of a two-dimensional regime. Below T_x, however, strong deviations with respect to a Fermi liquid behavior are evidenced.