Strongly correlated ladders in K-doped \(p\)-terphenyl crystals

• Published in: arXiv.org
• Main Authors: Sous, John, Gadjieva, Natalia A, Nuckolls, Colin, Reichman, David R, Millis, Andrew J
• Format: Paper
• Language: English
• Published: Ithaca Cornell University Library, arXiv.org 20.08.2021
• Subjects: Antiferromagnetism; Coupling; Crystal structure; Electronic structure; Ladders; Potassium; Superconductivity; Transition temperature
• DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2108.09308

Potassium-doped terphenyl has recently attracted attention as a potential host for high-transition-temperature superconductivity. Here, we elucidate the many-body electronic structure of recently synthesized potassium-doped terphenyl crystals. We show that this system may be understood as a set of weakly coupled one-dimensional ladders. Depending on the strength of the inter-ladder coupling the system may exhibit spin-gapped valence-bond solid or antiferromagnetic phases, both of which upon hole doping may give rise to superconductivity. This terphenyl-based ladder material serves as a new platform for investigating the fate of ladder phases in presence of three-dimensional coupling as well as for novel superconductivity.