Conventional c-axis charge transport in the electron-doped cuprates*

We have measured the interlayer (c-axis) magnetoresistivity of the electron-doped cuprate superconductor Nd$_{\mathrm{2-x}}$Ce$_{\mathrm{x}}$CuO$_{\mathrm{4+\delta}}$(NCCO) at and below optimal doping. In zero magnetic field, the low- and intermediate-temperature regimes are dominated by logarithmic and quadratic temperature dependences, respectively. The low-temperature logarithmic upturn indicates the onset of localization, whereas the quadratic dependence is attributed to Fermi-liquid behavior. Furthermore, the transverse c-axis magnetoresistivity exhibits H$^{\mathrm{2}}$ dependence, not only above the zero-field Tc, but also at lower temperature once a sufficiently large external field suppresses the superconductivity. These findings suggest that the out-of-plane conduction in the electron-doped cuprates is rather conventional.