https://arxiv.org/abs/0801.1281
https://arxiv.org/abs/0707.0057
https://arxiv.org/abs/0707.4461
https://arxiv.org/abs/0711.3559
Q. Read attached papers, summarize each, and explain how they relate to each other.
A. The attached papers all report on the observation of quantum oscillations in underdoped high-temperature cuprate superconductors. Here is a summary of each paper and how they relate:
Doiron-Leyraud et al. (Nature 2007) was the first report of quantum oscillations, specifically Shubnikov-de Haas oscillations, in an underdoped cuprate - the ortho-II ordered YBa2Cu3O6.5 with a Tc of 57.5K. They observed a single frequency of 530T corresponding to a small Fermi surface pocket comprising only 2% of the Brillouin zone area. This contrasts with the large cylindrical Fermi surface seen in overdoped cuprates. They propose the oscillations arise either from a reconstructed Fermi surface with small electron and hole pockets or a specific band structure property of YBa2Cu3O6.5.
Yelland et al. (arXiv 2007) then reported observation of quantum oscillations in another underdoped cuprate - stoichiometric YBa2Cu4O8 with Tc ~ 80K, using tunnel-diode oscillator measurements in fields up to 85T. They find a very similar frequency of 660T and effective mass of 3.0me. The similarity to YBa2Cu3O6.5 despite the lack of oxygen ordering suggests the small pockets are intrinsic to underdoped CuO2 planes rather than a material-specific band structure effect. Heat capacity constraints also argue against a nodal pocket scenario and support the reconstructed Fermi surface picture.