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At least 1,693 records · Page 94

Magnetic proximity and nonreciprocal current switching in a monolayer WTe2 helical edge

The integration of diverse electronic phenomena, such as magnetism and nontrivial topology, into a single system is normally studied either by seeking materials that contain both ingredients, or by layered growth of contrasting materials. The ability to simply stack very different two-dimensional van der Waals materials in intimate contact permits a different approach. Here we use this approach to couple the helical edges states in a two-dimensional topological insulator, monolayer WTe 2 , to a two-dimensional layered antiferromagnet, CrI 3 . We find that the edge conductance is sensitive to the magnetization state of the CrI 3 , and the coupling can be understood in terms of an exchange field from the nearest and next-nearest CrI 3 layers that produces a gap in the helical edge. We also find that the nonlinear edge conductance depends on the magnetization of the nearest CrI 3 layer relative to the current direction. At low temperatures this produces an extraordinarily large nonreciprocal current that is switched by changing the antiferromagnetic state of the CrI 3 .

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Magnetostructural correlations in the antiferromagnetic Co{sub 2-x} Cu{sub x}(OH)AsO{sub 4} (x=0 and 0.3) phases

The Co{sub 2-x}Cu{sub x}(OH)AsO{sub 4} (x=0 and 0.3) compounds have been synthesized under mild hydrothermal conditions and characterized by X-ray single-crystal diffraction and spectroscopic data. The hydroxi-arsenate phases crystallize in the Pnnm orthorhombic space group with Z=4 and the unit-cell parameters are a=8.277(2) A, b=8.559(2) A, c=6.039(1) A and a=8.316(1) A, b=8.523(2) A, c=6.047(1) A for x=0 and 0.3, respectively. The crystal structure consists of a three-dimensional framework in which M(1)O{sub 5}-trigonal bipyramid dimers and M(2)O{sub 6}-octahedral chains (M=Co and Cu) are present. Co{sub 2}(OH)AsO{sub 4} shows an anomalous three-dimensional antiferromagnetic ordering influenced by the magnetic field below 21 K within the presence of a ferromagnetic component below the ordering temperature. When Co{sup 2+} is partially substituted by Cu{sup 2+}ions, Co{sub 1.7}Cu{sub 0.3}(OH)AsO{sub 4}, the ferromagnetic component observed in Co{sub 2}(OH)AsO{sub 4} disappears and the antiferromagnetic order is maintained in the entire temperature range. Heat capacity measurements show an unusual magnetic field dependence of the antiferromagnetic transitions. This {lambda}-type anomaly associated to the three-dimensional antiferromagnetic ordering grows with the magnetic field and becomes better defined as observed in the non-substituted phase. These results are attributed to the presence of the unpaired electron in the dx{sup 2}-y{sup 2} orbital and the absence of overlap between neighbour ions. - Graphical abstract: Schematic drawing of the Co{sub 2-x}Cu{sub x}(OH)AsO{sub 4} (x=0 and 0.3) crystal structure view along the |0 1 0| direction. Polyhedra are occupied by the M(II) ions (M=Co and Cu) and the AsO{sub 4} groups are represented by tetrahedra. Open circles correspond to the oxygen atoms, and small circles show the hydrogen atoms. Highlights: > Synthesis of a new adamite-type compound, Co{sub 1.7}Cu{sub 0.3}(OH)AsO{sub 4}. > Single crystal structure, spectroscopic characterization and magnetic properties. > Unusual dependence on the magnetic field for antiferromagnetic transitions. > Incommensurate magnetic structure at low temperature. > Magnetostructural correlations in cobalt-based M{sub 2}(OH)XO{sub 4} (M=Co and Cu) insulation compounds.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Interplay between Local Moment and Itinerant Magnetism in the Layered Metallic Antiferromagnet TaFe 1.14 Te 3

Two-dimensional antiferromagnets have garnered considerable interest for the next generation of functional spintronics. However, many bulk materials from which two-dimensional antiferromagnets are isolated are limited by their air sensitivity, low ordering temperatures, and insulating transport properties. TaFe 1+y Te 3 aims to address these challenges with increased air stability, metallic transport, and robust antiferromagnetism. Here, we synthesize TaFe 1+y Te 3 (y = 0.14), identify its structural, magnetic, and electronic properties, and elucidate the relationships between them. Axial-dependent high-field magnetization measurements on TaFe 1.14 Te 3 reveal saturation magnetic fields ranging between 27-30 T with saturation magnetic moments of 2.05- 2.12 μ B . Magnetotransport measurements confirm TaFe 1.14 Te 3 is metallic with strong coupling between magnetic order and electronic transport. Angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy measurements across the magnetic transition uncover a complex interplay between itinerant electrons and local magnetic moments that drives the magnetic transition. In conclusion, we demonstrate the ability to isolate few-layer sheets of TaFe 1.14 Te 3 , establishing TaFe 1.14 Te 3 as a potential platform for two-dimensional spintronics.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Inhomogeneous magnetism in the doped kagome lattice of LaCuO2.66

The hole-doped kagome lattice of Cu2+ ions in LaCuO2.66 was investigated by nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR), electron spin resonance (ESR), electrical resistivity, bulk magnetization and specific heat measurements. For temperatures above 180 K, the spin and charge properties show an activated behavior suggestive of a narrow-gap semiconductor. At lower temperatures, the results indicate an insulating ground state which may or may not be charge ordered. While the frustrated spins in remaining patches of the original kagome lattice might not be directly detected here, the observation of coexisting non-magnetic sites, free spins and frozen moments reveals an intrinsically inhomogeneous magnetism. Numerical simulations of a 1/3-diluted kagome lattice rationalize this magnetic state in terms of a heterogeneous distribution of cluster sizes and morphologies near the site-percolation threshold.

Julien, M. -H.↗

Tunable Kondo Resonance at a Pristine Two-Dimensional Dirac Semimetal on a Kondo Insulator

The proximity of two different materials leads to an intricate coupling of quasiparticles so that an unprecedented electronic state is often realized at the interface. Here, we demonstrate a resonance-type many-body ground state in graphene, a nonmagnetic two-dimensional Dirac semimetal, when grown on SmB 6 , a Kondo insulator, via thermal decomposition of fullerene molecules. This ground state is typically observed in three-dimensional magnetic materials with correlated electrons. Above the characteristic Kondo temperature of the substrate, the electron band structure of pristine graphene remains almost intact in this work. As temperature decreases, however, the Dirac Fermions of graphene become hybridized with the Sm 4 f states. Remarkable enhancement of the hybridization and Kondo resonance is observed with further cooling and increasing charge-carrier density of graphene, evidencing the Kondo screening of the Sm 4 f local magnetic moment by the conduction electrons of graphene at the interface. These findings manifest the realization of the Kondo effect in graphene by the proximity of SmB 6 that is tuned by the temperature and charge-carrier density of graphene.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗

Chern Fermi pocket, topological pair density wave, and charge-4e and charge-6e superconductivity in kagomé superconductors

Abstract The recent discovery of novel charge density wave (CDW) and pair density wave (PDW) in kagomé lattice superconductors A V 3 Sb 5 ( A = K, Rb, Cs) hints at unexpected time-reversal symmetry breaking correlated and topological states whose physical origin and broader implications are not understood. Here, we make conceptual advances toward a mechanism behind the striking observations and new predictions for novel macroscopic phase coherent quantum states. We show that the metallic CDW state with circulating loop currents is a doped orbital Chern insulator near van Hove filling. The emergent Chern Fermi pockets (CFPs) carry concentrated Berry curvature and orbital magnetic moment. We find that the pairing of electrons on the CFPs leads to a superconducting state with an emergent vortex-antivortex lattice and the formation of a complex triple- Q PDW. A plethora of correlated and topological states emerge, including a never-before-encountered chiral topological PDW superconductor, a loop-current pseudogap phase, and vestigial charge-4 e and charge-6 e superconductivity in staged melting of the vortex-antivortex lattice and hexatic liquid crystal. Our findings reveal previously unknown nature of the superconducting state of a current-carrying Chern metal, with broad implications for correlated and topological materials.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Strain induced room temperature ferromagnetism in epitaxial magnesium oxide thin films

We report on the epitaxial growth and room-temperature ferromagnetic properties of MgO thin films deposited on hexagonal c-sapphire substrates by pulsed laser deposition. The epitaxial nature of the films has been confirmed by both θ-2θ and φ-scans of X-ray diffraction pattern. Even though bulk MgO is a nonmagnetic insulator, we have found that the MgO films exhibit ferromagnetism and hysteresis loops yielding a maximum saturation magnetization up to 17 emu/cc and large coercivity, H{sub c} = 1200 Oe. We have also found that the saturation magnetization gets enhanced and that the crystallization degraded with decreased growth temperature, suggesting that the origin of our magnetic coupling could be point defects manifested by the strain in the films. X-ray (θ-2θ) diffraction peak shift and strain analysis clearly support the presence of strain in films resulting from the presence of point defects. Based on careful investigations using secondary ion mass spectrometer and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies, we have ruled out the possibility of the presence of any external magnetic impurities. We discuss the critical role of microstructural characteristics and associated strain on the physical properties of the MgO films and establish a correlation between defects and magnetic properties.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Ultrafast quasiparticle dynamics in the correlated semimetal Ca 3 Ru 2 O 7

The correlated polar semimetal Ca 3 Ru 2 O 7 exhibits a rich phase diagram including two magnetic transitions (T N = 56 K and T C = 48 K) with the appearance of an insulating-like pseudogap (at T C ). In addition, there is a crossover back to metallic behavior at T* = 30 K, the origin of which is still under debate. We utilized ultrafast optical-pump optical-probe spectroscopy to investigate quasiparticle dynamics as a function of temperature in this enigmatic quantum material. We identify two dynamical processes, both of which are influenced by the onset of the pseudogap. This includes electron-phonon relaxation and, below T C , the onset of a phonon bottleneck hindering the relaxation of quasiparticles across the pseudogap. We introduce a gap-modified two-temperature model to describe the temperature dependence of electron-phonon thermalization, and use the Rothwarf-Taylor to model the phonon bottleneck. In conjunction with density functional theory, our experimental results synergistically reveal the origin of the T-dependent pseudogap. Further, our data and analysis indicate that T* emerges as a natural consequence of T-dependent gapping out of carriers, and does not correspond to a separate electronic transition. Furthermore, our results highlight the value of low-fluence ultrafast optics as a sensitive probe of low-energy electronic structure, thermodynamic parameters, and transport properties of Ruddlesden-Popper ruthenates.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Interaction-Driven Spontaneous Quantum Hall Effect on a Kagome Lattice

Topological states of matter have been widely studied as being driven by an external magnetic field, intrinsic spin-orbital coupling, or magnetic doping. With this work, we unveil an interaction-driven spontaneous quantum Hall effect (a Chern insulator) emerging in an extended fermion-Hubbard model on a kagome lattice, based on a state-of-the-art density-matrix renormalization group on cylinder geometry and an exact diagonalization in torus geometry.We first demonstrate that the proposed model exhibits an incompressible liquid phase with doublet degenerate ground states as time-reversal partners. The explicit spontaneous time-reversal symmetry breaking is determined by emergent uniform circulating loop currents between nearest neighbors. Moreover, the fingerprint topological nature of the ground state is characterized by quantized Hall conductance. Hence, we identify the liquid phase as a quantum Hall phase, which provides a “proof-of-principle” demonstration of the interaction-driven topological phase in a topologically trivial noninteracting band.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Weyl and Dirac semimetals in three-dimensional solids

Weyl and Dirac semimetals are three-dimensional phases of matter with gapless electronic excitations that are protected by topology and symmetry. As three-dimensional analogs of graphene, they have generated much recent interest. Deep connections exist with particle physics models of relativistic chiral fermions, and, despite their gaplessness, to solid-state topological and Chern insulators. Their characteristic electronic properties lead to protected surface states and novel responses to applied electric and magnetic fields. The theoretical foundations of these phases, their proposed realizations in solid-state systems, and recent experiments on candidate materials as well as their relation to other states of matter are reviewed.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Termination switching of antiferromagnetic proximity effect in topological insulator

This work reports the ferromagnetism of topological insulator, (Bi,Sb) 2 Te 3 (BST), with a Curie temperature of approximately 120 K induced by magnetic proximity effect (MPE) of an antiferromagnetic CrSe. The MPE was shown to be highly dependent on the stacking order of the heterostructure, as well as the interface symmetry: Growing CrSe on top of BST results in induced ferromagnetism, while growing BST on CrSe yielded no evidence of an MPE. Cr-termination in the former case leads to double-exchange interactions between Cr 3+ surface states and Cr 2+ bulk states. This Cr 3+ -Cr 2+ exchange stabilizes the ferromagnetic order localized at the interface and magnetically polarizes the BST Sb band. In contrast, Se-termination at the CrSe/BST interface yields no detectable MPE. These results directly confirm the MPE in BST films and provide critical insights into the sensitivity of the surface state.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Prospective lunar, planetary and deep space applications of tethers

Projected flights of an internationally managed Tethered Satellite System from the Space Shuttle in the early 1990s will investigate the behavior, first, of an insulated conducting wire 20 km long as it travels at orbital speeds through the ionosphere and earth magnetic field; subsequently, a nonconducting tether will be used to lower an instrumented 'subsatellite' 100 km downward to investigate upper-atmosphere conditions. Further consideration is presently given to other scientific, electrodynamic, transportational, and artificial gravity-generating applications of the tether concept.

Penzo, Paul A.↗

Observation of a supercurrent rectifying effect in topological-insulator/normal-metal Bi 1-x Sb x /Pt hybrid structures

We report transport evidence of nonreciprocal response in a topological-insulator/normal-metal Bi 0.91 Sb 0.09 /Pt hybrid structure. In the presence of an in-plane magnetic field, we observe a direction-dependent critical current asymmetry, which points to the occurrence of a supercurrent rectifying effect. We demonstrate that the observed magneto-transport anomaly can only arise from the topological surface states that induce a strong correlation between the spin polarization of carriers and the direction of supercurrent.

Physics - Condensed matter physics↗

Strain and Defect-Tailored Magnetotransport in NiCo 2 O 4 Thin Films and Freestanding Membranes

Magnetic spinel NiCo 2 O 4 is promising for developing spintronic applications due to its high magnetic Curie temperature, high spin polarization, fast spin dynamics, and strain-tunable magnetic anisotropy, while its electronic and magnetic properties depend sensitively on epitaxial strain and disorder. Here, in this study, we use epitaxial NiCo 2 O 4 thin films and freestanding NiCo 2 O 4 membranes as model systems to reveal the complex interplay of strain and defects in determining the metallicity and magnetotransport properties of the ferrimagnetic spinel. NiCo 2 O 4 on perovskite substrates and NiCo 2 O 4 membranes exhibit insulating behaviors and spin canting, in sharp contrast to the metallic NiCo 2 O 4 films on spinel substrates that possess strong perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. Anisotropic magnetoresistance studies provide critical information about disorder-induced spin scattering and strain-induced tetragonal magnetocrystalline anisotropy, which is corroborated by comprehensive electron microscopy characterizations. Our study presents a promising venue for designing flexible magnetic memory, sensor, and spintronic applications.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Magnetic field dependence of high- T c interface superconductivity in L a 1.55 S r 0.45 Cu O 4 / L a 2 Cu O 4 heterostructures

Heterostructures made of a layer of a cuprate insulator La 2 CuO 4 on the top of a layer of a nonsuperconducting cuprate metal La 1.55 Sr 0.45 CuO 4 show high-T c interface superconductivity confined within a single CuO 2 plane. Given this extreme quasi-two-dimensional quantum confinement, it is of interest to find out how interface superconductivity behaves when exposed to an external magnetic field. With this motivation, we have performed contactless tunnel-diode-oscillator-based measurements in pulsed magnetic fields up to 56 T as well as measurements of the complex mutual inductance between a spiral coil and the film in static fields up to 3 T. Remarkably, we observe that interface superconductivity survives up to very high perpendicular fields, in excess of 40 T. Additionally, the critical magnetic field H m (T) reveals an upward divergence with decreasing temperature, in line with vortex melting as in bulk superconducting cuprates.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Flightweight Electro-Magnet Systems

NASA has a need for lightweight high performance magnets to be used in propulsion systems involving plasmas. We report the design, construction, and testing of a six inch diameter by twelve inch long solenoid using high purity aluminum wire operating at a temperature of 77 Kelvin (K) for the current carrying element. High purity aluminum is the material of choice because of three properties that make it optimal for magnetic construction. At 77 K high purity aluminum has one of the lowest resistivities at 77 K of any metal (p = 0.254 muOMEGA-cm), thus reducing the power requirements for creating magnetic fields. Aluminum is a low-density (2.6989 g/cc) material and the end product magnet will be of low total mass compared to similar designs involving copper or other elements. The magneto-resistance of aluminum saturates at low magnetic fields and does not increase indefinitely as is the case in copper. The magnet consists of four layers of closely wound wire and is approximately 150 mm in diameter by 300 mm long. A cylinder made from G - 10 was machined with a spiral groove to hold the high purity Al wire and the wire wound on it. Following the winding, each layer was potted in STYCAST high thermal conductivity epoxy to provide insulation between the turns of the coil and mechanical strength. The magneto-resistance of the coil has been measured at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory (NHMFL), Tallahassee, FL in externally applied fields to 10 tesla. Following these tests it was energized to the full 2 tesla field it can produce using the facilities of the NHMFL at the Los Alamos National Laboratory. The results of all of these tests will be presented.

Goodrich, Roy G.↗

Physics of Arbitrarily Doped Kondo Lattices: from a Commensurate Insulator to a Heavy Luttinger Liquid and a Protected Helical Metal

We study one-dimensional Kondo Lattices (KL) which consist of itinerant electrons interacting with Kondo impurities (KI) - localized quantum magnetic moments. We focus on KL with isotropic exchange interaction between electrons and KI and with a high KI density. The latter determines the principal r ole of the indirect interaction between KI for the low energy physics. Namely, the Kondo physics becomes suppressed and all properties are governed by spin ordering. We present a first-ever comprehensive analytical theory of such KL at an arbitrary doping and predict a variety of regimes with different electronic phases. They range from commensurate insulators (at filling factors 1/2, 1/4 and 3/4) to metals with strongly interacting conduction electrons (close to these three special cases) to an exotic phase of a helical metal. The helical metals can provide a unique platform for realization of an emergent protection of ballistic transport in quantum wires. We compare out theory with previously obtained numerical results and discuss possible experiments where the theory could be tested.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Structure and physical properties of SrNiR u 5 O 11 single crystals: An $R$-type ferrite based on ordered kagome nets

Single crystals of the R-type ferrite SrNiR u 5 O 11 were grown from a chloride flux. The hexagonal crystal structure contains ruthenium located on distorted kagome nets. The low-temperature dc magnetic susceptibilities (χ ⊥ and χ ∥ , perpendicular and parallel to the c axis, respectively) diverge as T -0.3 , and do not exhibit any indication of long-range magnetic order down to 4.5 K. The electrical resistivity varies as T 1.6 below 40 K, which is typical of non-Fermi liquids, and may originate from a competition between residual magnetic interactions among Ni 2+ (S = 1) spins and geometrical frustration on the two-dimensional kagome lattice of Ru 3+ (S = ½ ) spins. The transverse magnetoresistivity ρ xy at constant temperature T = 5K for current (J)-magnetic field (H) configurations, J⊥H ∥ c axis and J ∥ H⊥c axis, reveals no anomalous contribution, which is consistent with the absence of magnetic order. Finally, fits of the specific heat data below 10 K require a dominant, but unusual electronic term of the form C el = γT 1.2 , which is expected for massless Dirac fermion states in topological insulators, or spin-liquid phases.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗