Selective observation of spin and charge dynamics in an organic superconductor λ−(BETS)2GaCl4 using Ga69,71 NMR measurements

Abstract

For the unconventional organic superconductor $\ensuremath{\lambda}\text{\ensuremath{-}}{(\mathrm{BETS})}_{2}{\mathrm{GaCl}}_{4}$ [BETS = bis(ethylenedithio) tetraselenafulvalene], the importance of both spin and charge degrees of freedom has been discussed based on the broadening of the NMR linewidth due to charge disproportionation and the occurrence of a spin-density-wave phase near the superconducting phase. NMR with the nuclear spin of $1/2$, previously used for studying organic conductors, is an effective method for revealing electronic states microscopically; however, it cannot distinguish between charge and spin anomalies. To resolve this problem, in this paper, we performed $^{69,71}\mathrm{Ga}$-NMR measurements, which enabled us to study both charge and spin dynamics using different gyromagnetic ratios and quadrupole moments between two isotopes. The spin-lattice relaxation rate is dominated by electric-field gradient fluctuations originating from molecular dynamics above 150 K and, below this temperature, it is dominated by spin fluctuations derived from the $\ensuremath{\pi}$ electrons of BETS layers. This change in the relaxation mechanism is considered to be due to the development of interactions between ${\mathrm{GaCl}}_{4}$ ions and BETS layers upon freezing of the molecular motion by cooling. Below 150 K, the contribution of spin fluctuations monotonically increases, and no increase in the charge fluctuation was observed, suggesting that the spin degree of freedom plays a major role in low-temperature physical properties. Our findings will aid theoretical studies on superconducting properties.