Quantum oscillations and high carrier mobility in the delafossite PdCoO(2).

ABSTRACT

We present de Haas-van Alphen and resistivity data on single crystals of the delafossite PdCoO(2). At 295 K we measure an in-plane resistivity of 2.6 µΩ cm, making PdCoO(2) the most conductive oxide known. The low-temperature in-plane resistivity has an activated rather than the usual T(5) temperature dependence, suggesting a gapping of effective scattering that is consistent with phonon drag. Below 10 K, the transport mean free path is ∼20 µm, approximately 10(5) lattice spacings and an astoundingly high value for flux-grown crystals. We discuss the origin of these properties in light of our data.