Interplay of Cooper and Kondo singlet formations in high-TC cuprates

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We performed high-field magnetotransport experiments up to 50 T on strained La1.85Sr0.15CuO4 films. Two films with different strain, one expansively strained with Tc 26 K and the other compressively strained with Tc 44 K, show a striking contrast in the normal-state transport: the former has a prominent low-temperature upturn while the latter has not. Identifying the low-temperature upturn as due to the Kondo effect, our experimental observations indicate that Cooper and Kondo singlet formations are competing in high- Tc cuprates: Kondo singlet formation hinders Cooper pair formation. Based on these results, we propose a new scenario for the electronic phase diagram of La2-xSrxCuO4. According to our scenario, underdoped insulating La2-xSrxCuO4 can be regarded as a "Kondo insulator".