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At least 91 records · Page 5

Frustrated mixed-spin ladders: Evidence for a bond-order wave phase between rung-singlet and Haldane phases

In frustrated spin ladders, the interplay of frustration and correlations leads to the familiar Haldane (H) and rung-singlet (RS) phases. The nature of the transition between these two phases is still under debate. In this paper we tackle this issue using tools of quantum information theory. We consider frustrated mixed-spin-(1, 1/2) ladders with antiferromagnetic leg, rung and diagonal couplings, and calculate various quantities, such as the entanglement entropy (EE), the Schmidt gap, and the level degeneracy of the entanglement spectrum (ES). We use two numerical techniques, the infinite time-evolving block decimation (iTEBD) and the density matrix renormalization group (DMRG). We demonstrate that there exists an intermediate phase in which the ES levels do not exhibit the characteristic degeneracies of the H and RS phases. To understand the underlying physics in this phase, here we investigate short-range spin correlations along legs, rungs and diagonals and show that in this intermediate phase long-wavelength modulations occur, akin to bond-order waves.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Studies on the structure and the magnetic properties of high-entropy spinel oxide (MgMnFeCoNi)Al 2 O 4

The study of high-entropy materials has attracted enormous interest since they could show new functional properties that are not observed in their related parent phases. Here, we report single crystal growth, structure, thermal transport, and magnetic property studies on a novel high-entropy oxide with the spinel structure (MgMnFeCoNi)Al 2 O 4 . We have successfully grown high-quality single crystals of this high-entropy oxide using the optical floating zone growth technique for the first time. The sample was confirmed to be a phase pure high-entropy oxide using x-ray diffraction and energy-dispersive spectroscopy. Through magnetization measurements, we found (MgMnFeCoNi)Al 2 O 4 exhibits a cluster spin glass state, though the parent phases show either antiferromagnetic ordering or spin glass states. Furthermore, we also found that (MgMnFeCoNi)Al 2 O 4 has much greater thermal expansion than its CoAl 2 O 4 parent compound using high resolution neutron Larmor diffraction. We further investigated the structure of this high-entropy material via Raman spectroscopy and extended x-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (EXAFS) measurements. From Raman spectroscopy measurements, we observed (MgMnFeCoNi)Al 2 O 4 to display a combination of the active Raman modes in its parent compounds with the modes shifted and significantly broadened. This result, together with the varying bond lengths probed by EXAFS, reveals severe local lattice distortions in this high-entropy phase. Additionally, we found a substantial decrease in thermal conductivity and suppression of the low temperature thermal conductivity peak in (MgMnFeCoNi)Al 2 O 4 , consistent with the increased lattice defects and strain. These findings advance the understanding of the dependence of thermal expansion and transport on the lattice distortions in high-entropy materials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Noncollinear polar magnet Fe 2 (SeO 3 ) 3 (H 2 O) 3 with inequivalent Fe 3+ sites

The emergence of novel magnetic states becomes more likely when the inversion symmetry of the crystal field, relative to the center between two spins, is broken. We propose that placing magnetic spins in inequivalent sites in a polar lattice can promote a realization of nontrivial magnetic states and associated magnetic properties. To test our hypothesis, we study Fe 2 (SeO 3 )(H 2 O) 3 as a model system that displays two distinct Fe(1) and Fe(2) magnetic sites in a polar structure (R3c space group). At low fields μ 0 H≤ 0.06 T, the material undergoes an antiferromagnetic ordering with T N1 = 77 K and a second transition at T N2 ≈ 4 K. At μ 0 H≥ 0.06 T and 74 K ≤T≤ 76 K, a positive entropy change of ∼0.12 mJ mol −1 K −1 can be associated with a metamagnetic transition to possibly nontrivial spin states. At zero field, Fe(1) is nearly fully ordered at T≈ 25 K, while Fe(2) features magnetic frustration down to T = 4 K. The magnetic ground state, a result corroborated by single-crystal neutron diffraction and 57 Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy, is a noncollinear antiparallel arrangement of ferrimagnetic Fe(1)–Fe(2) dimers along the c-axis. The results demonstrate that placing distinct magnetic sites in a polar crystal lattice can enable a new pathway to modifying spin, orbital, and lattice degrees of freedom for unconventional magnetism.

Crystal lattices↗

Competing antiferromagnetic-ferromagnetic states in a d 7 Kitaev honeycomb magnet

The Kitaev model is a rare example of an analytically solvable and physically instantiable Hamiltonian yielding a topological quantum spin liquid ground state. Here we report signatures of Kitaev spin liquid physics in the honeycomb magnet Li 3 Co 2 SbO 6 , built of high-spin d 7 (Co 2+ ) ions, in contrast to the more typical low-spin d 5 electron configurations in the presence of large spin-orbit coupling. Neutron powder diffraction measurements, heat capacity, and magnetization studies support the development of a long-range antiferromagnetic order space group of C C 2/m, below T N = 11K at μ 0 H = 0T. The magnetic entropy recovered between T = 2 and 50 K is estimated to be 0.6Rln2, in good agreement with the value expected for systems close to a Kitaev quantum spin liquid state. The temperature-dependent magnetic order parameter demonstrates a β value of 0.19(3), consistent with XY anisotropy and in-plane ordering, with Ising-like interactions between layers. Further, we observe a spin-flop-driven crossover to ferromagnetic order with space group of C2/m under an applied magnetic field of μ 0 H ≈ 0.7T at T = 2K. Magnetic structure analysis demonstrates these magnetic states are competing at finite applied magnetic fields even below the spin-flop transition. Both the d 7 compass model, a quantitative comparison of the specific heat of Li 3 Co 2 SbO 6 , and related honeycomb cobaltates to the anisotropic Kitaev model further support proximity to a Kitaev spin liquid state. Furthermore, this material demonstrates the rich playground of high-spin d 7 systems for spin liquid candidates and complements known d 5 Ir- and Ru-based materials.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Critical phenomena of the layered ferrimagnet Mn 3 Si 2 Te 6 following proton irradiation

The critical phenomena and magnetic entropy of the quasi-2D ferrimagnetic crystal, Mn 3 Si 2 Te 6 (MST), is analyzed along the easy axis (H || ab) as a function of proton irradiance. The critical exponents β and γ do not fall into any particular universality class upon proton irradiation. However, for pristine and irradiated samples, the critical exponents lie closer to mean field-like interactions; therefore, long-range interactions are presumed to be sustained in MST. The effective spatial dimensionality reveals that MST remains at d =3 under proton irradiation, whereas spin dimensionality transitions from an initial n =1 to n =2 and n =3 for 1 × 10 15 and 5 × 10 15 H + /cm 2 , indicating XY and Heisenberg interactions, respectively. The spin correlation function reveals an increase in magnetic correlations at 5 × 10 15 H + /cm 2 . Maximum change in magnetic entropy at 3 T is the largest for 5 × 10 15 H + /cm 2 at 2.45 J/kg K, in comparison to 1.60 J/kg K for pristine MST. These results intriguingly align with previous findings on MST where magnetization increased by ~50% at 5 × 10 15 H + /cm 2 , in comparison to its pristine counterpart [Martinez et al., Appl. Phys. Lett. 116, 172404 (2020)]. Magnetic entropy derived from heat capacity analysis shows no large deviations across the proton irradiated samples suggesting that the antiferromagnetic (AFM) coupling between the Mn sites is stable even after proton irradiation. This implies that magnetization is enhanced through a strengthening of the super-exchange interaction between Mn atoms mediated through Te rather than a weakening of the AFM component.

2D materials↗

Planar XY magnetic glass state in the Gd 2 ScNbO 7 pyrochlore

Here a spin glass system with emergent planar ordered spin clusters is investigated. The mixed B-site pyrochlore Gd 2 ScNbO 7 has been synthesized and characterized through a variety of techniques, including x-ray diffraction, magnetic susceptibility, muon spin relaxation, heat capacity and neutron scattering. Despite a Curie–Weiss temperature of -3.93(3) K, indicating net antiferromagnetic interactions, no signs of long ranged magnetic ordering are found down to T = 0.3 K. Instead, a disordered magnetic state emerges with a small correlation length of 2.1(1) Å of single tetrahedra. A Reverse Monte Carlo analysis of the polarized neutron scattering data reveals short-range antiferromagnetic order with emergent XY spin ordering similar to the parent pyrochlore compounds. Muon spin relaxation, and AC susceptibility measurements confirm that the magnetization condenses into a glass, with 10 % of the potential entropy missing in the specific heat. This magnetic ground state is similar to what is observed in Gd 2 Sn 2 O 7 just above the ordering temperature, without the eventual long-range ordering at low temperature.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Study on the magnetothermal properties of the D y 1 - x T b x A l 2 series of compounds

Here, in this work, we developed a theoretical model Hamiltonian, in the mean field approximation, to describe the magnetic and magnetocaloric behavior of the series of compounds Dy 1-x Tb x Al 2 (x = 0.00, 0.15, 0.25, 0.30, 0.35, 0.40 and 0.75). We adjusted the exchange parameters λ DyDy , λ TbTb , and λ DyTb to obtain the spin reorientation temperatures (T SR ) and the critical temperature (T C ) for each compound in the series. The results obtained by the Hamiltonian model agree satisfactorily with the experimental results. The heat capacity curves with and without an applied magnetic field, adiabatic temperature variation and isothermal entropy variation were modeled and compared with the experimental data. As the experimental results show, our model was also able to reproduce the change in the spin reorientation process: a first order spin reorientation transition appears for concentrations x = 0.15, 0.25, 0.30, 0.35, and no spin reorientation transitions after x = 0.40.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Shifting Valencies and Magnetic Responses in La-Based High-Entropy Oxide Perovskite Thin Films with Variable Mn Presence

Chemical disorder in compositionally complex perovskite oxides generates a broad distribution of exchange pathways and spin states, but the microscopic origin and spatial homogeneity of the resulting magnetic phases remain debated. Here, we tune the Mn fraction (x = 0.2–0.6) in epitaxial La(Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni)O3 thin films and resolve the coupled evolution of valence, spin state, and magnetism using element-specific x-ray absorption spectroscopy and x-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD). Mn enrichment drives an internal redistribution of charge, in which Mn evolves toward a Mn3+-rich mixed valence, while Co converts from predominantly Co3+ to high-spin Co2+. This valence/spin-state coupling amplifies the Mn- and Co-derived ferromagnetic response by nearly an order of magnitude while increasing the magnetic onset temperature to at least 250 K, whereas Fe and Cr remain essentially trivalent with weak dichroism. Depth-resolved low-energy muon spin spectroscopy (LE-μSR) shows magnetic homogeneity through the film thickness, with a secondary relaxation maximum near 25 K indicating a low-temperature dynamical crossover consistent with frustrated magnetism in a strongly disordered spin lattice.

Miertschin, Duncan [Baylor University]↗

On interpretation of fluctuations of conserved charges at high T

Abstract Fluctuations of conserved charges calculated on the lattice which can be measured experimentally, are well reproduced by a hadron resonanse gas model at temperatures below$$T_{ch} \sim 155$$ T ch ∼ 155 MeV and radically deviate from the hadron resonance gas predictions above the chiral restoration crossover. This behaviour is typically interpreted as an indication of deconfinement in the quark-gluon plasma regime. We present an argument that this interpretation may be too simple. The argument is based on the scaling of quantities with the number of colors: demonstration of deconfinement and QGP requires observable that is sensitive to$$\sim N_c^2$$ ∼ N c 2 gluons while the conserved charges are sensitive only to quarks and above$$T_{ch}$$ T ch scale as$$N_c^1$$ N c 1 . The latter scaling is consistent with the existence of an intermediate regime characterized by restored chiral symmetry and by approximate chiral spin symmetry which is a symmetry of confining interaction. In this regime the energy density, pressure and entropy density scale as$$N_c^1$$ N c 1 . In the large$$N_c$$ N c limit this regime might become a distinct phase separated from the hadron gas and from QGP by phase transitions. A natural observable that associates with deconfinement and is directly sensitive to deconfined$$N_c^2-1$$ N c 2 - 1 gluons is the Polyakov loop; in the$$N_c=3$$ N c = 3 world it remains very close to 0 at temperatures well above chiral crossover, reaches the value$$\sim 0.5$$ ∼ 0.5 around$$\sim 3T_{ch}$$ ∼ 3 T ch and the value close to 1 at temperatures$$\sim 1$$ ∼ 1 GeV.

Physics↗

Quantum fragmentation in the extended quantum breakdown model

We introduce a one-dimensional (1D) extended quantum breakdown model comprising a fermionic and a spin degree of freedom per site, and featuring a spatially asymmetric breakdown-type interaction between the fermions and spins. Furthermore, our model resembles the breakdown process of particles incident into a cloud chamber with nonzero quantum amplitudes of both exciting and not exciting the local vapor atoms. We analytically show that, in the absence of any magnetic field for the spins, the model exhibits Hilbert space fragmentation within each symmetry sector into exponentially many Krylov subspaces and hence displays nonthermal dynamics. Here, we demonstrate that the fragmentation naturally occurs in an entangled basis and thus provides an example of “quantum fragmentation.” Besides establishing the nature of fragmentation analytically, we also study the long-time behavior of the entanglement entropy and its deviation from the expected Page value as a probe of ergodicity in the system. Upon introducing a magnetic field for the spins, most of the Krylov subspaces merge and the model becomes chaotic. Finally, we study the effects of strong randomness on the system and observe behavior similar to that of many-body localized systems.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Complex magnetic ground state driving a large rotating magnetocaloric effect in Tb 3 Ni at low temperature

The rotating magnetocaloric effect (RMCE) offers a promising alternative to conventional magnetocaloric configurations by taking advantage of magnetic anisotropy to simplify device architecture and enhance refrigeration efficiency. In this study, the RMCE in a high-quality single crystal of Tb 3 Ni is investigated, a compound previously shown to exhibit significant magnetocaloric behavior along its easy axis of magnetization. By measuring the magnetization and corresponding entropy change along the three principal crystallographic axes using a discontinuous measurement protocol, we verify the anisotropic magnetic properties and derive the RMCE from rotations between hard ( a, b ) and easy ( c ) axes of magnetization. Our results show a maximum value for the rotating entropy change of 19.5 J kg −1 K −1 for µ 0 H = 7 T around 60 K, within the critical temperature window for industrial gas liquefaction applications. Neutron diffraction and magnetic Pair-Distribution Function (mPDF) analysis reveal that the origin of this large anisotropic response lies in a partially ordered incommensurate spin-density wave phase and persistent short-range ferromagnetic (FM) correlations. These complex magnetic states enable the release of a substantial amount of magnetic entropy when the field is applied along the easy c-axis, effectively driving the large RMCE. Comparison with other RMCE materials confirms Tb 3 Ni as one of the most promising candidates in this temperature regime, offering both a large magnetic entropy change and a wide operating window.

Gas liquefaction↗

Magnetic phases of spatially modulated spin-1 chains in Rydberg excitons: Classical and quantum simulations

Here, in this work, we study the magnetic phases of a spatially modulated chain of spin-1 Rydberg excitons. Using the Density Matrix Renormalization Group (DMRG) technique, we study various magnetic and topologically nontrivial phases using both single-particle properties, such as local magnetization and quantum entropy, and many-body ones, such as pair-wise Néel and long-range string correlations. In particular, we investigate the emergence and robustness of the Haldane phase, a topological phase of anti-ferromagnetic spin-1 chains. Furthermore, we devise a hybrid quantum algorithm employing restricted Boltzmann machine to simulate the ground state of such a system that shows very good agreement with the results of exact diagonalization and DMRG.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Ferrimagnetic 120 ° magnetic structure in Cu 2 OSO 4

We report magnetic properties of a 3d 9 (Cu 2+ ) magnetic insulator Cu 2 OSO 4 measured on both powder and single crystal. The magnetic atoms of this compound form layers whose geometry can be described either as a system of chains coupled through dimers or as a kagome lattice where every third spin is replaced by a dimer. Specific heat and DC susceptibility show a magnetic transition at 20 K, which is also confirmed by neutron scattering. Magnetic entropy extracted from the specific heat data is consistent with an S=1/2 degree of freedom per Cu 2+ , and so is the effective moment extracted from DC susceptibility. The ground state has been identified by means of neutron diffraction on both powder and single crystal and corresponds to an ~120° spin structure in which ferromagnetic intradimer alignment results in a net ferrimagnetic moment. No evidence is found for a change in lattice symmetry down to 2 K. Finally, our results suggest that Cu 2 OSO 4 represents a type of model lattice with frustrated interactions where interplay between magnetic order, thermal and quantum fluctuations can be explored.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Tuning the Spin Transition and Carrier Type in Rare-Earth Cobaltates via Compositional Complexity

There is growing interest in material candidates with properties that can be engineered beyond traditional design limits. Compositionally complex oxides (CCO), often called high entropy oxides, are excellent candidates, wherein a lattice site shares more than four cations, forming single-phase solid solutions with unique properties. However, the nature of compositional complexity in dictating properties remains unclear, with characteristics that are difficult to calculate from first principles. Here, in this study, compositional complexity is demonstrated as a tunable parameter in a spin-transition oxide semiconductor La 1- x (Nd, Sm, Gd, Y) x/4 CoO 3 , by varying the population x of rare earth cations over 0.00≤ x≤ 0.80. Across the series, increasing complexity is revealed to systematically improve crystallinity, increase the amount of electron versus hole carriers, and tune the spin transition temperature and on-off ratio. At high a population (x = 0.8), Seebeck measurements indicate a crossover from hole-majority to electron-majority conduction without the introduction of conventional electron donors, and tunable complexity is proposed as new method to dope semiconductors. First principles calculations combined with angle resolved photoemission reveal an unconventional doping mechanism of lattice distortions leading to asymmetric hole localization over electrons. Thus, tunable complexity is demonstrated as a facile knob to improve crystallinity, tune electronic transitions, and to dope semiconductors beyond traditional means.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Entanglement entropy of a superflow

We consider the theory of N free Dirac fermions with a uniformly winding mass, me iqx , in two spacetime dimensions. This theory (which describes for instance a superconducting current in an N-channel wire) has been proposed to have a higher-spin gravity with scalar matter as the large-N dual. To order m 2 , however, thermodynamic quantities in it can be computed using standard general relativity instead. Here, we consider the question if the same is true for the entanglement entropy (EE). By comparing results obtained on two sides of the duality, we find that general relativity indeed accounts correctly for the EE of an interval to order m 2 (and all orders in q).

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Strong magnetocaloric effect induced by spin reorientation transitions in epitaxial Ho thin films

In this work, magnetocaloric effect (MCE) in an antiferromagnetic holmium (Ho) film is studied near the spin reorientation temperatures. A series of magnetization isotherms from 60 to 150 K around the Néel temperature, $T_N$ ≈ 130 K were recorded for both in-plane and out-of-plane magnetic field orientations. A change in entropy, Δ$S_M$ of –5 J/kgK was found near $T_N$ for an in-plane field orientation. A large change in Δ$S_M$ of –11.8 J/kg K due to a fan-helix spin transition at $\textit{T}$ = 90 K is observed for an in-plane field orientation. Spin transition at both $T_N$ and at the fan-helix transition exhibit larger MCE in the in-plane field orientations in comparison with the perpendicular orientation. The value of the refrigerant capacity extracted from the temperature dependence of Δ$S_M(T)$ is found to be larger for the “in- plane” orientation by a factor of two.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Pressure induced Invar effect in Fe 55 ⁢Ni 45 : An experimental study with nuclear resonant scattering

Pressure-dependent synchrotron x-ray diffraction (XRD), nuclear resonant inelastic x-ray scattering (NRIXS), and nuclear forward scattering (NFS) measurements were made on 57 Fe 55 Ni 45 . XRD measurements were at 298 and 392 K at pressures up to 20 GPa, confirming a pressure-induced Invar effect between 7 and 13 GPa. A decrease of the 57 Fe magnetic moment was found in NFS measurements under pressure, showing an increase in magnetic entropy. The 57 Fe phonon density of states (DOS) was obtained from NRIXS measurements. The low thermal expansion in the high-pressure Invar region originates from a competition between the thermal expansion from spins and phonons as calculated from Maxwell relations. Finally, the longitudinal phonon modes changed their pressure dependence near the Curie transition, which is evidence for a spin-phonon interaction.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Thermodynamics and magnetism in the two-dimensional to three-dimensional crossover of the Hubbard model

The realization of antiferromagnetic (AF) correlations in ultracold fermionic atoms on an optical lattice is a significant achievement. Experiments have been carried out in one, two, and three dimensions, and have also studied anisotropic configurations with stronger tunneling in some lattice directions. Such anisotropy is relevant to the physics of cuprate superconductors and other strongly correlated materials. Moreover, this anisotropy might be harnessed to enhance AF order. Here we numerically investigate, using the determinant quantum Monte Carlo method, a simple realization of anisotropy in the three-dimensional (3D) Hubbard model in which the tunneling between planes, $t_⊥$, is unequal to the intraplane tunneling $\textit{t}$. This model interpolates between the three-dimensional isotropic ($t_⊥ = t$) and two-dimensional (2D;$t_⊥$ = 0) systems. In this work, we show that at fixed interaction strength to tunneling ratio ($\textit{U/t}$), anisotropy can enhance the magnetic structure factor relative to both 2D and 3D results. However, this enhancement occurs at interaction strengths below those for which the Néel temperature $T_{\text{Néel}}$ is largest, in such a way that the structure factor cannot be made to exceed its value in isotropic 3D systems at the optimal $\textit{U/t}$. We characterize the 2D-3D crossover in terms of the magnetic structure factor, real space spin correlations, number of doubly occupied sites, and thermodynamic observables. An interesting implication of our results stems from the entropy's dependence on anisotropy. As the system evolves from 3D to 2D, the entropy at a fixed temperature increases. Correspondingly, at fixed entropy, the temperature will decrease going from 3D to 2D. This suggests a cooling protocol in which the dimensionality is adiabatically changed from 3D to 2D.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗