Seebeck effect studies in the charge density wave state of organic conductor α-(BEDT–TTF)2KHg(SCN)4

Abstract

Abstract Angular, magnetic field and temperature dependence of the interlayer Seebeck effect of the multiband organic conductor α − ( BEDT − TTF ) 2 KHg ( SCN ) 4 is experimentally studied at temperatures down to 0.55 K and fields up to 31 T in a wide range of angles. The background magnetic field and angular component of the Seebeck effect as well as the magnetic quantum oscillations that originate from the closed Fermi surface orbits are analyzed. The background interlayer Seebeck effect components show that above certain tilt angle of the magnetic field and above the kink field there is another CDW state in α − ( BEDT − TTF ) 2 KHg ( SCN ) 4 , between previously known CDW0 and CDW x states, in agreement with magnetoresistance and magnetization studies in this material. Our observations show that this state possesses some of the properties of the CDW0 state. The Fermi surface in the third CDW state is still reconstructed but less imperfectly nested as expected as this state develops above the kink field. The temperature dependence of the interlayer Seebeck effect reveals that this state is developed at temperatures below 3 K and at field orientations around the second AMRO maximum. In addition, for the first time, a detailed T − θ phase diagram of α − ( BEDT − TTF ) 2 KHg ( SCN ) 4 based purely on Seebeck effect measurements is presented. We find that other states and transitions, beside the CDW states, also exist in a given temperature and angular range that have not been previously reported. These observations change the whole picture about the transport processes in the organic conductor α − ( BEDT − TTF ) 2 KHg ( SCN ) 4 and allow to better understand the complex nature of the CDW order in this and similar compounds.