Mott transition, compressibility divergence, and the P-T phase diagram of layered organic superconductors: an ultrasonic investigation.

Abstract

The phase diagram of the organic superconductor kappa-(BEDT-TTF)(2)Cu[N(CN)(2)]Cl has been investigated by ultrasonic velocity measurements under helium gas pressure. Different phase transitions were identified through several elastic anomalies characterized from isobaric and isothermal sweeps. Our data reveal two crossover lines that end on the critical point terminating the first-order Mott transition line. When the critical point is approached along these lines, we observe a dramatic anomaly of the sound velocity which is consistent with a diverging compressibility of the electronic degrees of freedom.