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At least 343 records · Page 19

Orbital-selective metal skin induced by alkali-metal-dosing Mott-insulating Ca2RuO4

Abstract Doped Mott insulators are the starting point for interesting physics such as high temperature superconductivity and quantum spin liquids. For multi-band Mott insulators, orbital selective ground states have been envisioned. However, orbital selective metals and Mott insulators have been difficult to realize experimentally. Here we demonstrate by photoemission spectroscopy how Ca 2 RuO 4 , upon alkali-metal surface doping, develops a single-band metal skin. Our dynamical mean field theory calculations reveal that homogeneous electron doping of Ca 2 RuO 4 results in a multi-band metal. All together, our results provide evidence for an orbital-selective Mott insulator breakdown, which is unachievable via simple electron doping. Supported by a cluster model and cluster perturbation theory calculations, we demonstrate a type of skin metal-insulator transition induced by surface dopants that orbital-selectively hybridize with the bulk Mott state and in turn produce coherent in-gap states.

Physics↗

Dimensional interpolation for metallic hydrogen

In this work, we employ a simple and mostly accurate dimensional interpolation formula using dimensional limits D = 1 and D = ∞ to obtain D = 3 ground-state energy of metallic hydrogen. We also present results describing the phase transitions for different symmetries of three-dimensional structure lattices. The interpolation formula not only predicts fairly accurate energies but also predicts a correct functional form of the energy as a function of the lattice parameters. That allows us to calculate different physical quantities such as the bulk modulus, Debye temperature, and critical transition temperature, from the gradient and the curvature of the energy curve as a function of the lattice parameters. These theoretical calculations suggest that metallic hydrogen is a likely candidate for high temperature superconductivity. The dimensional interpolation formula is robust and might be useful to obtain the energies of complex many-body systems.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Predictions of delafossite-hosted honeycomb and kagome phases

Delafossites, typically denoted by the formula ABO 2 , are a class of layered materials that exhibit a wide range of electronic and optical properties. Recently, the idea of modifying these delafossites into ordered kagome or honeycomb phases via strategic doping has emerged as a potential way to tailor these properties. In this study, we use high-throughput density functional theory calculations to explore many possible candidate kagome and honeycomb phases by considering dopants selected from the parent compounds of known ternary delafossite oxides from the inorganic crystal structure database. Here our results indicate that while A-site in existing delafossites can host a limited range of elemental specifies, and display a low propensity for mixing or ordering, the oxide sub-units in the BO 2 much more readily admit guest species. Our study identifies four candidate B-site kagome and fifteen candidate B-site honeycombs with a formation energy more than 50 meV f.u. −1 below other competing phases. The ability to predict and control the formation of these unique structures offers exciting opportunities in materials design, where innovative properties can be engineered through the selection of specific dopants. A number of these constitute novel correlated metals, which may be of interest for subsequent efforts in synthesis. These novel correlated metals may have significant implications for quantum computing, spintronics, and high-temperature superconductivity, thus inspiring future experimental synthesis and characterization of these proposed materials.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Emergent behavior of LaNiO 3 in short-periodic nickelate superlattices

Heterostructure engineering provides an efficient way to obtain several emergent phases of LaNiO 3 , as demonstrated in recent works. In this work, a new class of short periodic superlattices, consisting of LaNiO 3 and EuNiO 3 have been grown by pulsed laser interval deposition to investigate the effect of structural symmetry mismatch on the electronic and magnetic behaviors. Using synchrotron based soft and hard x-ray resonant scattering experiments, we have found that these heterostructures undergo simultaneous electronic and magnetic transitions. Most importantly, LaNiO 3 within these artificial structures exhibits a new antiferromagnetic, charge ordered insulating phase, which may be a potential candidate to achieve high temperature superconductivity.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Improved control of atomic layering in perovskite-related homologous series

Homologous series are layered phases that can have a range of stoichiometries depending on an index n. Examples of perovskite-related homologous series include (ABO 3 )nAO Ruddlesden–Popper phases and (Bi 2 O 2 ) (A n-1 B n O 3n+1 ) Aurivillius phases. It is challenging to precisely control n because other members of the homologous series have similar stoichiometry and a phase with the desired n is degenerate in energy with syntactic intergrowths among similar n values; this challenge is amplified as n increases. To improve the ability to synthesize a targeted phase with precise control of the atomic layering, we apply the x-ray diffraction (XRD) approach developed for superlattices of III–V semiconductors to measure minute deviations from the ideal structure so that they can be quantitatively eradicated in subsequent films. We demonstrate the precision of this approach by improving the growth of known Ruddlesden–Popper phases and ultimately, by synthesizing an unprecedented n = 20 Ruddlesden–Popper phase, (ATiO 3 ) 20 AO where the A-site occupancy is Ba 0.6 Sr 0.4 . We demonstrate the generality of this method by applying it to Aurivillius phases and the Bi 2 Sr 2 Ca n–1 Cu n O 2n+4 series of high-temperature superconducting phases.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Intertwined spin, charge, and pair correlations in the two-dimensional Hubbard model in the thermodynamic limit

Significance The high-temperature superconducting cuprates are governed by intertwined striped magnetic and charge orders, in addition to superconductivity. Remarkably similar behavior has also been seen in numerical calculations for the Hubbard model describing the copper–oxygen layers in these materials. Finite-cluster methods typically find that spin- and charge-stripe order dominates, while embedded quantum-cluster methods, which access the thermodynamic limit, often conclude that superconductivity does. Here, we report the observation of fluctuating spin and charge stripes in an embedded cluster calculation for the Hubbard model. This discovery demonstrates that striped states survive in the thermodynamic limit and allows us to study their influence on the model’s superconducting properties, where we find evidence for pair-density-wave correlations intertwined with the stripe correlations.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Direct visualization of a static incommensurate antiferromagnetic order in Fe-doped Bi 2 Sr 2 CaCu 2 O 8+δ

Significance The pairing mechanism of high-temperature superconductivity, especially in cuprates, remains as the most challenging issue in condensed matter physics. The antiferromagnetic (AF) order/correlation is supposed to be important for inducing pairing and superconductivity. In this paper, we report the observation of a static incommensurate AF order by spin-polarized scanning tunneling microscope in Fe-doped Bi2212 with a nearly optimally doped state of superconductivity. The local incommensurate AF order can be directly visualized in regions with some Fe impurities. Our measurements provide a basis to study the interplay between superconductivity and AF spin fluctuations in cuprates.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Phases of the hydrogen isotopes under pressure: metallic hydrogen

Hydrogen is the simplest molecule in nature. One of the key problems and challenges in condensed matter physics is to understand the phases, properties, and structure of hydrogen as a function of pressure and temperature. Over 80 years ago Wigner and Huntington predicted that if solid molecular hydrogen was sufficiently compressed, it would transform to an atomic metal. Later, a second pathway emerged; it was predicted that if heated to high temperatures under pressure it would transform to liquid atomic hydrogen; this form of metallic hydrogen makes up ~90% of the planet Jupiter. The prediction of high temperature superconductivity of solid atomic metallic hydrogen stimulated the experimental community to produce this material . For decades hydrogen defied the experimental efforts to transform it. Using diamond anvil cells, metallic hydrogen has recently been produced at a pressure of ~5 million atmospheres, significantly greater than the pressure at the center of the earth. Liquid atomic metallic hydrogen has been produced at temperatures of a few thousand degrees Kelvin in diamond anvil cells, as well as in dynamic experiments. We review the seemingly simple, but actually complex properties of this quantum solid and metal and the decades of development and progress to achieve this important fundamental result.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Integrating novel stellarator single-stage optimization algorithms to design the Columbia stellarator experiment

Abstract The Columbia Stellarator eXperiment (CSX), currently being designed at Columbia University, aims to test theoretical predictions related to QA plasma behavior, and to pioneer the construction of an optimized stellarator using three-dimensional, non-insulated high-temperature superconducting (NI-HTS) coils. The magnetic configuration is generated by a combination of two circular planar poloidal field (PF) coils and two 3D-shaped interlinked (IL) coils, with the possibility to add windowpane coils to enhance shaping and experimental flexibility. The PF coils and vacuum vessel are repurposed from the former Columbia Non-Neutral Torus experiment, while the IL coils will be custom-wound in-house using NI-HTS tapes. To obtain a plasma shape that meets the physics objectives with a limited number of coils, novel single-stage optimization techniques are employed, optimizing both the plasma and coils concurrently, in particular targeting a tight aspect ratio QA plasma and minimized strain on the HTS tape. Despite the increased complexity due to the expanded degrees of freedom, these methods successfully identify optimized plasma geometries that can be realized by coils meeting engineering specifications. This paper discusses the derivation of the constraints and objectives specific to CSX, and describe how two recently developed single-stage optimization methodologies are applied to the design of CSX. A set of selected configurations for CSX is then described in detail.

Baillod, A. (ORCID:0000000303529180)↗

Analysis of the thermal recovery of HTS cables after an overcurrent fault

High temperature superconducting (HTS) power transmission cables are cooled to operating temperatures typically below 80 K. A valuable feature of some HTS cables is that they can limit short-circuit fault currents, which can be more than ten times the maximum operating current of a cable. When a fault occurs the HTS wire is no longer superconducting and the heating which occurs will raise the temperature above the allowable operating point. To recover from the fault, the conductor must be cooled down before returning to service. The recovery is affected by the refrigeration system's performance which varies with load and temperature. A transient numerical model of an HTS cable is applied to investigate the thermal recovery after a fault for some HTS cable system configurations and operating conditions.

Demko, Jonathan A.↗

Thermodynamic Modeling of Complex Solid Solutions in the Lu-H-N System via Graph Neural Network Accelerated Monte Carlo Simulations

Metal hydrides are important across diverse applications, such as hydrogen storage, batteries, gas sensors, nuclear reactions, and high-temperature superconductivity. Previous computational studies of metal hydrides under extreme pressures, e.g., 𝑂⁡(10 2 ) ⁢GPa, usually treat them as stoichiometric compounds without considering interstitial lattice disorder. As pressures become more moderate in the 𝑂⁡(10 0 ) ⁢GPa and below range, hydrogen disorder at interstitial lattice sites becomes prominent, e.g., in the N-doped Lu hydride that was recently claimed superconducting near 1 GPa. Further adding compositional complexity from alloying and/or multielement interstitial occupation makes elucidating pressure- and temperature-dependent observables intractable by first-principles calculations alone. We therefore propose a lattice graph neural-network surrogate modeling approach to predict configuration- and pressure-dependent equation-of-state properties. Their efficiency permits Monte Carlo simulations to calculate Gibbs energies and pressure-dependent phase diagrams, thereby revealing insights into the synthesis conditions required for achieving desired phase equilibria. We demonstrate this concept for the compositionally complex cubic Lu(H,N,Va) 3 system where three constituents (hydrogen, nitrogen and vacancy) have disordered multielement interstitial occupancies and insights into pressure-dependent phase equilibria are critically needed, e.g., N-doping levels can significantly lower dehydrogenation temperatures and provide a new strategy to optimize hydrogen-storage alloys. This work can improve the thermodynamic understanding of the Lu-H-N system and help rational synthesis of N-doped Lu hydrides, but more generally demonstrates an efficient approach to model pressure-dependent thermodynamics of multicomponent solid solutions.

Monte Carlo methods↗

Complex spin density wave ordering in La4Ni3O10

The discovery of high-temperature superconductivity in layered nickelates under pressure has recently triggered enormous interest. Studies of these compounds have revealed a density-wave-like transition at ambient pressure, though its connection with superconductivity is still not well understood. Here, we report a detailed µ⁢SR study on single crystals of trilayer nickelate La4⁢Ni3⁢O10 at ambient pressure. We have identified a spin-density-wave (SDW) transition at the temperature of 𝑇N∼130K, as well as a broad crossover around 70–100 K. Based on the temperature dependence of the muon precession amplitudes and magnetic susceptibility, we attribute this additional crossover either to a spin reorientation, or to an inhomogeneous SDW ordering.

Gardner, Jason [ORNL] (ORCID:0000000278234072)↗

Controlling symmetry of spin-orbit entangled pseudo spin state through uniaxial strain

In layer-structured Sr 2 IrO 4 , strong crystal electric field and spin-orbit coupling result in an intriguing spin-orbit entangled J eff =1/2 state, resembling the spin S=1/2 state of high-temperature superconducting cuprates. Our study unravels the intricate relationship between the lattice and the pseudospin interactions using uniaxial strain. Applied along the [1 1 0] direction, a compressive strain does not induce any effect. In contrast, the strain along [1 0 0] triggers a dramatic detwinning of the magnetic domains bringing the system to a single domain at around 0.04% strain. The strain driven detwinning rate is temperature independent showing that it does not exhibit a spontaneous orthorhombic lattice distortion driven by the pseudo-Jahn-Teller effect.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Pairing correlations in the cuprates: A numerical study of the three-band Hubbard model

We study the three-band Hubbard model for the copper oxide plane of the high-temperature superconducting cuprates using determinant quantum Monte Carlo and the dynamical cluster approximation (DCA) and provide a comprehensive view of the pairing correlations in this model using these methods. Specifically, we compute the pair-field susceptibility and study its dependence on temperature, doping, interaction strength, and charge-transfer energy. Using the DCA, we also solve the Bethe-Salpeter equation for the two-particle Green's function in the particle-particle channel to determine the transition temperature to the superconducting phase on smaller clusters. Our calculations reproduce many aspects of the cuprate phase diagram and indicate that there is an “optimal” value of the charge-transfer energy for the model where T c is largest. Finally, these results have implications for our understanding of superconductivity in both the cuprates and other doped charge-transfer insulators.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Kuramoto synchronization of quantum tunneling polarons for describing the dynamic structure in cuprate superconductors

A major open topic in cuprates is the interplay between the lattice and electronic dynamics and the importance of their coupling to the mechanism of high-temperature superconductivity (HTSC). As evidenced by extended x-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) experiments, anharmonic structural effects are correlated with the charge dynamics and the transition to a superconducting phase in different HTSC compounds. Here, in this paper, we describe how structural anharmonic effects can be coupled to electronic and lattice dynamics in cuprate systems by performing the exact diagonalization of a prototype anharmonic many-body Hamiltonian on a relevant 6-atom cluster and show that the EXAFS results can be understood as a Kuramoto synchronization transition between coupled internal quantum tunneling of polarons associated with the two-site distribution of the copper–apical oxygen (Cu-O ap ) pair in the dynamic structure. The transition is driven by the anharmonicity of the lattice vibrations and promotes the pumping of charge, initially stored at the apical oxygen reservoirs, into the copper-oxide plane. Simultaneously, a finite projection of the internal quantum tunneling polaron extends to the copper–planar oxygen (Cu-O pl ) pair. All these findings allow an interpretation based on an effective quantum-mechanical triple-well potential associated with the oxygen sites of the 6-atom cluster, which accurately represents the phase synchronization of apical oxygens and lattice-assisted charge transfer to the CuO 2 plane.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Electronic structure, dimer physics, orbital-selective behavior, and magnetic tendencies in the bilayer nickelate superconductor $\mathrm{La_3Ni_2O_7}$under pressure

Motivated by the recently reported high-temperature superconductivity in the bilayer La 3 Ni 2 O 7 (LNO) under pressure, we comprehensively study this system using ab initio techniques. The Ni 3d orbitals have a large bandwidth at ambient pressure, increasing by ~22% at 29.5 GPa. Without electronic interactions, the Ni d 3z 2 -r 2 orbitals form a bonding-antibonding molecular orbital state via the O p z inducing a “dimer” lattice in the LNO bilayers. The Fermi surface consists of two-electron sheets with mixed e g orbitals and a hole pocket defined by the d 3z 2 -r 2 orbital, suggesting a Ni two-orbital minimum model. Different from the infinite-layer nickelate, we obtained a large interorbital hopping between d 3z 2 -r 2 and d x 2 -y 2 states in LNO, caused by the ligand “bridge” of in-plane O p x or p y orbitals connecting those two orbitals, inducing d-p σ-bonding characteristics. The competition between the intraorbital and interorbital hoppings leads to an interesting dominant spin stripe (π,0) order because of bond ferromagnetic tendencies via the recently discussed “half-empty” mechanism.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Hall coefficient and resistivity in the doped bilayer Hubbard model

Finding and understanding non-Fermi-liquid transport behaviors are at the core of condensed matter physics. Most of the existing studies in this field were devoted to the monolayer Hubbard model, which is the minimal model that captures the essential features of high-temperature superconductivity. Here, we discover another type of non-Fermi-liquid behavior emergent in the hole-doped bilayer Hubbard model, using dynamical mean-field theory with a full consideration of the short-range interlayer electron correlation. We find that at low temperatures, the Hall coefficient has a strong nonmonotonic dependence on temperature, leading to a double or quadruple reversal of its sign depending on the doping level. At the same time, the resistivity exhibits two plateaus rather than linearity in its temperature dependence. Finally, we show that these intriguing transport behaviors stem from the formation of coherent interlayer singlets, which scatter off gapped collective modes arising from short-range interlayer antiferromagnetic fluctuations.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Real Space Imaging of Spin Stripe Domain Fluctuations in a Complex Oxide

Understanding the formation and dynamics of charge and spin-ordered states in low-dimensional transition metal oxide materials is crucial to understanding unconventional high-temperature superconductivity. La 2-x Sr x NiO 4+δ (LSNO) has attracted much attention due to its interesting spin dynamics. Recent x-ray photon correlation spectroscopy studies have revealed slow dynamics of the spin order (SO) stripes in LSNO. Here, we applied resonant soft x-ray ptychography to map the spatial distribution of the SO stripe domain inhomogeneity in real space. The reconstructed images show the SO domains are spatially anisotropic, in agreement with previous diffraction studies. For the SO stripe domains, it is found that the correlation lengths along different directions are strongly coupled in space. Surprisingly, fluctuations were observed in the real space amplitude signal, rather than the phase or position. Overall, we attribute the observed slow dynamics of the stripe domains in LSNO to thermal fluctuations of the SO domain boundaries.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗