Spin-density-wave instabilities in the organic conductors (TMTSF)₂ClO₄: role of anion ordering

Abstract

We study the spin-density-wave (SDW) instabilities in the quasi-one-dimensional conductor (TMTSF)₂ClO₄. The orientational order of the anions ClO₄ doubles the unit cell and leads to the presence of two electronic bands at the Fermi level. From the Ginzburg-Landau expansion of the free energy, we determine the low-temperature phase diagram as a function of the strength of the Coulomb potential due to the anions. Upon increasing the anion potential, we first find a SDW phase corresponding to an interband pairing. This SDW phase is rapidly suppressed, the metallic phase being then stable down to zero temperature. The SDW instability is restored when the anion potential becomes of the order of the interchain hopping amplitude. The metal-SDW transition corresponds to an intraband pairing that leaves half of the Fermi surface metallic. At lower temperature, a second transition, corresponding to the other intraband pairing, takes place and opens a gap on the whole Fermi surface. We discuss the consequence of our results for the experimental phase diagram of (TMTSF)₂ClO₄ at high magnetic field.