Uniaxial stress method for delicate crystals: Application to Shubnikov–de Haas and superconductivity studies in organic conductors

Abstract
A method to measure the resistance of fragile single crystals under high uniaxial stress is reported. To compensate for its natural brittleness, the crystal is embedded in epoxy, whose shape is optimized to sustain the stress. This method was used to study the magnetoresistance of (BEDT‐TTF)2KHg(SCN)4 at low temperatures and high magnetic fields and the superconducting transition temperature of (BEDT‐TTF)2Cu(NCS)2 under uniaxial stress perpendicular to the planes of BEDT‐TTF molecules. The results obtained indicate a high degree of homogeneity of the stress in the crystal and comparison with previous hydrostatic pressure measurements reveal the true uniaxial nature of the stress applied.