Test for interlayer coherence in a quasi-two-dimensional superconductor.

Peaks in the magnetoresistivity of the layered superconductor kappa - (BEDT-TTF)2Cu(NCS)(2), measured in fields < or =45 T applied within the layers, show that the Fermi surface is extended in the interlayer direction and enable the interlayer transfer integral (t( perpendicular) approximately 0.04 meV) to be deduced. However, the quasiparticle scattering rate tau(-1) is such that Planck's over 2pi/tau approximately 6t( perpendicular), implying that kappa - (BEDT-TTF)2Cu(NCS)(2) meets the criterion used to identify interlayer incoherence. The applicability of this criterion to anisotropic materials is thus shown to be questionable.