A metallic phase in lightly doped La_(2-x)Sr_(x)CuO₄ observed by electron paramagnetic resonance

In the low doping range of $x$ from 0.01 to 0.06 in La$_{2-x}$Sr$_{x}$CuO$_{4}$, a narrow electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) line has been investigated. This line is distinct from the known broad line, both due to probing Mn$^{2+}$ ions. The narrow line is ascribed to metallic regions in the material, and its intensity increases exponentially upon cooling below $\sim$ 150 K. The activation energy deduced $\Delta$ = 460(50) K is nearly the same as that found in the doped superconducting regime by Raman and neutron scattering. The intensity of the narrow EPR line follows the same temperature dependence as the resistivity anisotropy in lightly doped La$_{2-x}$Sr$_{x}$CuO$_{4}$ single crystals.