AC Hopping Magnetotransport Across the Spin Flop Transition in Lightly Doped La_2CuO_4

Abstract

The weak ferromagnetism present in insulating La_{2}CuO_4 at low doping leads to a spin flop transition, and to transverse (interplane) hopping of holes in a strong external magnetic field. This results in a dimensional crossover 2D $\to$ 3D for the in-plane transport, which in turn leads to an increase of the hole's localization length and increased conduction. We demonstrate theoretically that as a consequence of this mechanism, a frequency-dependent jump of the in-plane ac hopping conductivity occurs at the spin flop transition. We predict the value and the frequency dependence of the jump. Experimental studies of this effect would provide important confirmation of the emerging understanding of lightly doped insulating La_{2-x}Sr_xCuO_4.