Test for interlayer coherence in a quasi-two-dimensional superconductor

Abstract

Peaks in the magnetoresistivity of the layered superconductor $κ$-(BEDT-TTF)$_2$Cu(NCS)$_2$, measured in fields $\leq 45$ T applied within the layers, show that the Fermi surface is extended in the interlayer direction and enable the interlayer transfer integral ($t_{\perp} \approx 0.04$ meV) to be deduced. However, the quasiparticle scattering rate $τ^{-1}$ is such that $\hbar/τ\sim 6t_{\perp}$, implying that $κ$-(BEDT-TTF)$_2$Cu(NCS)$_2$ meets the criterion used to identify interlayer incoherence. The applicability of this criterion to anisotropic materials is thus shown to be questionable.