Abstract
A fourfold symmetry of the out-of-plane magnetoresistance (MR) of La1.6-xNd0.4SrxCuO4 [(LNSCO) x=0.10, 0.12, 0.15, and 0.18] single crystals was observed below the superconducting transition temperature T-c(onset) by rotating magnetic field direction in the ab-plane of the crystals. This large anisotropy in MR of LNSCO compared with that of La2-xSrxCuO4 is mainly attributed to the static stripe-phase-induced vortex pinning. A similar fourfold symmetry in ac magnetization supports the pinning mechanism in the stripe phase. A further investigation indicates that the anisotropic MR depends on both the stripe-phase-induced vortex pinning and the superconductivity of the LNSCO system.