Observation of Dirac state in half-Heusler material YPtBi
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Engineering topics
Publications and source records attributed to Choi, Hongchul.
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MnGe has been reported as a candidate for a three-dimensional (3D) skyrmion crystal in comparison to the two-dimensional (2D) skyrmion observed in most other B20 compounds like MnSi. In addition, the small-sized skyrmions in MnGe are desired properties for information storage. By performing the density functional theory (DFT) calculations and model simulations based on the DFT-informed tight-binding Hamiltonian, we explore here the nature of the 3D skyrmion in MnGe. By invoking the dual nature of $d$ electrons on Mn atoms, we propose a strong-correlation-derived spin-fermion model with an antiferromagnetic coupling between the localized and itinerant moments. This model could explain the drastic difference in magnetic moments between MnGe and MnSi compounds. In addition, we find that the 3D or 2D nature of skyrmions is dependent on the coupling strength.
While bismuth ferrite BiFeO 3 (BFO) is a well studied multiferroic material, its electronic and magnetic properties in the presence of A-site dopants have not been explored widely. Here we report the results of a systematic study of the local electronic structure, spontaneous polarization, and magnetic properties of lanthanum (La) and strontium (Sr) doped rhombohedral bismuth ferrite within density functional theory. An enhanced ferroelectric polarization of 122.43 μ C/cm 2 is predicted in the uniformly doped BiLaFe 2 O 6 . We find that substitution of Sr in the A-site drives the system into a metallic state. The nature of magnetism arises mainly from the B-site Fe exhibiting a G-type antiferromagnetic ordering. Our study finds that upon dopant substitution, the local magnetic moment is decreased and its magnitude is dependent on the distance between the Fe and the dopant atom. The correlation between the local moment and the distance between the Fe and the dopant atom is discussed.
Abstract Modeling of f -electron systems is challenging due to the complex interplay of the effects of spin–orbit coupling, electron–electron interactions, and the hybridization of the localized f -electrons with itinerant conduction electrons. This complexity drives not only the richness of electronic properties but also makes these materials suitable for diverse technological applications. In this context, we propose and implement a data-driven approach to aid the materials discovery process. By deploying state-of-the-art algorithms and query tools, we train our learning models using a large, simulated dataset based on existing actinide and lanthanide compounds. The machine-learned models so obtained can then be used to search for new classes of stable materials with desired electronic and physical properties. We discuss the basic structure of our f -electron database, and our approach towards cleaning and correcting the structure data files. Illustrative examples of the applications of our database include successful prediction of stable superstructures of double perovskites and identification of a number of physically-relevant trends in strongly correlated features of f -electron based materials.
We synthesize single crystals of PuB 4 using an Al-flux technique. Single-crystal diffraction data provide structural parameters for first-principles density functional theory (DFT) calculations. By computing the density of states, the Z 2 topological invariant using the Wilson loop method, and the surface electronic structure from slab calculations, we find that PuB 4 is a nonmagnetic strong topological insulator with a band gap of 254 meV. Our magnetic susceptibility, heat capacity, and resistivity measurements are consistent with this analysis, albeit with a smaller gap of 35 meV. DFT plus dynamical mean-field theory calculations show that electronic correlations reduce the size of the band gap, and provide better agreement with the value determined by resistivity. Furthermore, these results demonstrate that PuB 4 is a promising actinide material to investigate the interplay of electronic correlations and nontrivial topology.
Topological superconductor (TSC) hosting Majorana fermions has been established as a milestone that may shift our scientific trajectory from research to applications in topological quantum computing. Recently, superconducting Pd-Bi binaries have attracted great attention as a possible medium for the TSC phase as a result of their large spin-orbit coupling strength. Here, we report a systematic high-resolution angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) study on the normal state electronic structure of superconducting α - PdBi 2 (T c = 1.7 K). Our results show the presence of Dirac states at higher-binding energy with the location of the Dirac point at 1.26 eV below the chemical potential at the zone center. Furthermore, the ARPES data indicate multiple band crossings at the chemical potential, consistent with the metallic behavior of α - PdBi 2 . Our detailed experimental studies are complemented by first-principles calculations, which reveal the presence of surface Rashba states residing in the vicinity of the chemical potential. The obtained results provide an opportunity to investigate the relationship between superconductivity, topology, and the Majorana fermion, as well as explore pathways to possible future platforms for topological quantum computing.
Topological superconductors as characterized by Majorana surface states have been actively searched for their significance in fundamental science and technological implication. The large spin-orbit coupling in Bi-Pd binaries has stimulated extensive investigations on the topological surface states in these superconducting compounds. Here we report a study of normal-state electronic structure in a centrosymmetric α-PdBi 2 within density functional theory calculations. By investigating the electronic structure from the bulk to slab geometries in this system, we predict for the first time that α-PdBi 2 can host orbital-dependent and asymmetric Rashba surface states near the Fermi energy. This study suggests that α-PdBi 2 will be a good candidate to explore the relationship between superconductivity and topology in condensed matter physics.
TBM3 is an open source package for computational simulations of quantum materials at multiple scales in length and time. The project originated to investigate the multiferroic behavior in transition-metal oxide heterostructures. The framework has also been designed to study emergent phemona in other quantum materials like 2-dimensional transition-metal dichalcogenides, graphene, topological insulators, and skyrmion in materials, etc. In the long term, we will enable the package for transport and time-resolved phenomena. TBM3 is currently a C++ based numerical tool package and framework for the design and construction of any kind of lattice structures with multi-orbital and spin degrees of freedom. The fortran based portion of the package will be added in the near future. The design of TBM3 is in a highly flexible and reusable framework and the tight-binding parameters can be modeled or informed by DFT calculations. It is currently GPU enabled and feature of CPU enabled MPI will be added in the future.
TBM3 is an open source package for computational simulations of quantum materials at multiple scales in length and time. The project originated to investigate the multiferroic behavior in transition-metal oxide heterostructures. The framework has also been designed to study emergent phemona in other quantum materials like 2-dimensional transition-metal dichalcogenides, graphene, topological insulators, and skyrmion in materials, etc. In the long term, we will enable the package for transport and time-resolved phenomena. TBM3 is currently a C++ based numerical tool package and framework for the design and construction of any kind of lattice structures with multi-orbital and spin degrees of freedom. The fortran based portion of the package will be added in the near future. The design of TBM3 is in a highly flexible and reusable framework and the tight-binding parameters can be modeled or informed by DFT calculations. It is currently GPU enabled and feature of CPU enabled MPI will be added in the future.