Gradual emergence of superconductivity in underdoped La2-x Srx CuO4

We present triple-axis neutron scattering studies of low-energy magnetic fluctuations in strongly underdoped La2-xSrxCuO4 with x=0.05, 0.06 and 0.07, providing quantitative evidence for a direct competition between these fluctuations and superconductivity. At dopings x=0.06 and x=0.07, three-dimensional superconductivity is found, while only a very weak signature of two-dimensional superconductivity residing in the CuO2 planes is detectable for x=0.05. We find a surprising suppression of the low-energy fluctuations by an external magnetic field at all three dopings. This implies that the response of two-dimensional superconductivity to a magnetic field is similar to that of a bulk superconductor. Our results provide direct evidence of a very gradual onset of superconductivity in cuprates.